The Fall Guy World Premiere – SXSW 2024 – Photo by Miguel Esparza

Film & TV Festival

March 7-15, 2025

The SXSW Film & TV Festival festival is known for launching a high caliber and diverse program of film, TV and XR projects, and serving as a global gathering for smart, enthusiastic, influential audiences that drive conversation for months to come.

2025 SXSW Film & TV Submissions are now closed.


About Film & TV Festival

 

Creatives of all stripes gather for the acclaimed SXSW Film & TV Festival program each March in Austin, Texas. Running concurrently with the SXSW Conference, Music, and Comedy Festivals, attendees can take advantage of the opportunity to connect with a wide array of industry experts, making the Film & TV Festival an unparalleled experience at the forefront of all things pop culture.

Whether you want to be the first to see independent films from around the world or sit front row at the world premiere of a buzzy Hollywood project, SXSW serves as the place to be for discovery, creativity, and innovation.

See You Next Year

Join us for SXSW 2025 from March 7–15 in Austin, TX. Registration and housing are now open! Explore participation opportunities and stay tuned for announcements throughout the season. Subscribe to Event Updates and community newsletters.

SXSW Timeline

March 7-15, 2025

Plan your SXSW 2025 adventure today! Explore primary access per badge type across daily programming including Conference tracks, Festivals, and Exhibitions.

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Film & TV Festival Sections

 

We're pleased to count ourselves among the festivals eligible for both Oscars Shorts, BAFTA qualification, and the Film Independent Spirit Awards. Learn more here.

Feature Film Section

  • Narrative Feature Competition: World premieres showcasing the art of storytelling by emerging voices.

  • Documentary Feature Competition: World premieres of captivating, real stories by emerging voices.

  • Headliner: Big names, big talent featuring red carpet premieres and gala film events with major and rising names in cinema.

  • Narrative Spotlight: Unforgettable features receiving their World, North American, or U.S. premieres.

  • Documentary Spotlight: Incredible features receiving their World, North American, or U.S. premieres.

  • Visions: Audacious, risk-taking films that demonstrate innovation and creativity.

  • Midnighter: Exciting after-dark features for genre lovers and the terminally curious.

  • 24 Beats Per Second: Vibrant films showcasing the sounds, culture and influence of music and musicians.

  • Global: Artful international films, featuring premieres, festival favorites, and more.

  • Festival Favorite: Acclaimed standouts from festivals around the world.

  • Special Event: Unexpected and unique one-off film and TV events.

    • TV Screening Sections

  • TV Premiere: World premieres of prestige TV series premieres from acclaimed showrunners and directors.

  • Independent TV Pilot Competition: Discover new pilots from indie talent.

  • TV Spotlight: World premieres of new seasons of acclaimed shows and exciting series episodes.

    • Short Film Screening Sections

  • Narrative Short Competition: Exceptional storytelling that captivates, surprises, and excites.

  • Documentary Short Competition: Authentic storytelling that captivates, surprises, and excites.

  • Animated Short Competition: A whirlwind tour of hand drawn, stop-motion, and digital revelries.

  • Midnight Short Competition: Indulge your cravings for horror, gore, and dark comedy.

  • Music Video Competition: A dynamic mix of creativity and stylish visuals where music and storytelling collide.

  • Texas Short Competition: Vibrant work filmed in, inspired by, or connected to the Lone Star State.

    • XR Experience Screening Sections

  • XR Experience Competition: World premieres of mind bending immersive art.

  • XR Experience Spotlight: Masterful immersive art from around the world.

  • XR Experience Special Event: Radical experimentations with emerging tech.

    • SXSW 2024 Attendees at the SXSW Expo – Photo by Tico Mendoza

    Student Discount

    Currently enrolled students may apply for an exclusive SXSW Badge discount. Explore badge discounts for students and recent graduates to attend SXSW 2025!
    SXSW 2023 – Photo by Aaron Rogosin

    Housing & Travel FAQs

    From booking your hotel to traveling to Austin, explore our list of frequently asked questions.
    3 Body Problem Premiere – SXSW 2024 – Photo by Stephen Olker

    2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival Rewind

    Catch up on all the 2024 Film & TV Festival event highlights & must-see content.

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    Film & TV Festival Archive

    Past SXSW film programs have included the world premieres of Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022), Civil War (2024), Monkey Man (2024), Us (2019), Babes (2024), Bottoms (2023), X (2022), For Sama (2019), Booksmart (2019), Immaculate (2024), Black Barbie (2023), Great Photo, Lovely Life (2023), Introducing, Selma Blair (2021) and many more.

    On the TV front, SXSW audiences have been the first in the world to experience Beef (2023), I’m A Virgo (2023), Mrs. Davis (2023), Swarm (2023), Love, Death & Robots (2019), Ramy (2019), 3 Body Problem (2024), and much more.

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    Register for SXSW 2025

    Experience unparalleled discovery at SXSW 2025 from March 7-15 in Austin, TX. Secure your SXSW Badge and hotel early to secure the best rates!

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