SXSW Film Reveals Terrence Malick’s Song To Song As Opening Night Film & Six More Titles

Here we go! We are pleased to reveal the first selected programming for the 2017 SXSW Film Festival.

Our Opening Night Film, Song To Song, from celebrated director Terrence Malick will make its World Premiere Friday March 10, 2017, during the 24th edition of the SXSW Film Festival. Rooney Mara, Ryan Gosling, Michael Fassbender, and Natalie Portman star in this modern love story set against the Austin, Texas music scene, as two entangled couples chase success through a rock ‘n’ roll landscape of seduction and betrayal.

We’re also delighted to announce Eshom and Ian Nelms’ hybrid action thriller with dark humor Small Town Crime; Jeff Malmberg and Chris Shellen’s lyrical portrait of a tiny hill town in Tuscany, Spettacolo, the second feature after their award-winning Marwencol; first time filmmaker Jennifer Reeder’s coming-of-age Muslim melodrama Signature Move starring Fawzia Mirza; and Latin American phenomenon René Pérez Joglar’s chronicle of his global exploration of his genetic roots in Residente.

In our highly successful Episodic section, we will be featuring the world premiere of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, directed by David Slade. The first of many projects in SXSW Film’s new VR/AR strand is Viacom NEXT’s The Melody of Dust, an invitation inside the tortured mind of an artist.

The 2017 SXSW Film Festival will feature:

American Gods (World Premiere)
Director: David Slade, Screenwriters/Showrunners: Bryan Fuller, Michael Green
Adapted from Neil Gaiman's award-winning novel, American Gods follows Shadow Moon (Ricky Whittle) and Mr. Wednesday (Ian McShane) in a magical world where a battle is brewing between the Old Gods and the New Gods.

The Melody of Dust (World Premiere)
Director: Viacom NEXT
A musical journey for the HTC Vive. Explore a mysterious world where every object contains a unique melody. Featuring original musical compositions by Hot Sugar, this experience brings you inside the tortured mind of a musician.

Residente (World Premiere)
Director: René Pérez Joglar
After taking a DNA test, Latin America’s most decorated artist - Rene Perez (AKA Residente), embarks on a global adventure, to trace the footsteps of his ancestors and record his latest album.

Signature Move (World Premiere)
Director: Jennifer Reeder, Screenwriters: Fawzia Mirza, Lisa Donato
A secret new romance with Alma forces Zaynab to confront her complicated relationship with her recently widowed mother. In this coming-of-age Muslim melodrama, Zaynab copes by taking up Lucha-style wrestling.
Cast: Fawzia Mirza, Shabana Azmi, Sari Sanchez, Audrey Francis, Charin Alvarez, Mark Hood, Molly Brennan, Malic White, Jasmine McNealy, Molly Callinan

Small Town Crime (World Premiere)
Directors/Screenwriters: Eshom Nelms, Ian Nelms
Ex-cop, Mike Kendall, finds the body of a young woman and, in an act of self-redemption, becomes hellbent on finding the killer. While his uncouth, quirky detective style helps break the case, his dogged determination puts his family in danger.
Cast: John Hawkes, Anthony Anderson, Octavia Spencer, Robert Forster, Clifton Collins, Jr.

Song To Song (World Premiere)
Director: Terrence Malick
In this modern love story set against the Austin, Texas music scene, two entangled couples -- struggling songwriters Faye and BV, and music mogul Cook and the waitress whom he ensnares -- chase success through a rock ‘n’ roll landscape of seduction and betrayal.
Cast: Rooney Mara, Ryan Gosling, Michael Fassbender, Natalie Portman

Spettacolo (World Premiere)
Directors: Jeff Malmberg, Chris Shellen, Screenwriter: Chris Shellen
For the past 50 years, the villagers of a tiny hill town in Tuscany have turned their lives into a play that the entire town writes and performs. "Spettacolo" is a portrait of this tradition through the eyes of the last man trying to keep it alive.

This is just a taste of what is set to premiere at the 2017 fest. The complete film festival lineup will be announced Tuesday, January 31, with the exception of Midnighter features, which will be revealed with the Short Film Program on Tuesday, February 7. Experience the full lineup firsthand by registering for your badge before prices increase next week.

Song To Song photo courtesy of Van Redin / Broad Green Pictures

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• Watch SXSW alumni films on release this month