‘Booksmart’ Women – Featured Session at SXSW 2019 [Video]

"Every job you have, no matter how insignificant it feels at the time is informing you later for a better job." - Olivia Wilde

Told from a wildly original, fresh and modern perspective, Booksmart is an unfiltered comedy about high school friendships and the bonds we create that last a lifetime. Capturing the spirit of our times, the film is a coming of age story for a new generation.

The day after the World Premiere of Booksmart at SXSW 2019, director Olivia Wilde, producer Jessica Elbaum, screenwriter Katie Silberman and cast members Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, and Billie Lourd took to the stage to discuss female friendships, women in comedy and the film's journey to the big screen.

The film is based on many of Wilde's, Elbaum's, and Silberman's experiences as teenagers.

"It's also autobiographical in the sense when you realize that everyone has that first best friend that you kind of have to break up to go on with the next phase of your life, that inspired a lot of it [the script] as well. That friendship can be so meaningful and powerful..." - Katie Silberman

Booksmart really aims to breakdown traditional high school stereotypes often seen on the screen. "I just think the fact that this film centers around not just one but two smart, capable, funny, wonderful women is really, really something special," said Feldstein.

"That's what I love so much about this film, it uses archetypes to break them down." - Beanie Feldstein

Be sure to take a look at the full session and check out more videos from SXSW 2019 on our YouTube channel.

Watch Now

For more Booksmart, take a look at Wilde's Film Keynote and our profile on her in SXSWorld Magazine. Own Booksmart on Digital August 20.

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See you in March! Booksmart Women Panel - Photo by JD Lewis