SXSW 2025 is right around the corner, and to commemorate the iconic Film & TV Festival, we reflect on the SXSW 2024 releases that Austin film lovers saw before anyone else.
Every year, the SXSW Film Festival in Austin brings together blockbuster and indie filmmakers alike. The festival is home to world premieres and first looks at the next big movies, including Best Picture winner Everything Everywhere All at Once in 2022. 2024’s festival saw incredible movies – some that can watch now and others that are still yet to come.
Civil War (Directed by Alex Garland)
Civil War is an interesting movie that is less focused on politics and more focused on the ethics of photojournalism. While this is a blockbuster with plenty of action, the most important thing is always getting the shot. The movie puts you in the shoes of a combat photojournalist- even though you’re there to observe, you still take up space. You’re part of the conflict too.
Monkey Man (Directed by Dev Patel)
A brutal action thriller, this directorial debut from star Dev Patel gives John Wick a run for its money. Patel plays a boxer inspired by the monkey deity Hanuman, and he’s out for revenge against the corrupt leader who murdered his mother. The film is full of style and energy as Patel fights his way through the city.
Now Streaming on Amazon Prime.
We’re All Gonna Die (Directed by Freddie Wong and Matthew Arnold)
The feature film debut of directors Freddie Wong and Matthew Arnold, this sci-fi road trip is full of comedy and heart. Wong and Arnold re-team with production company RocketJump Studios, where they made viral YouTube series such as Video Game High School. We’re All Gonna Die is a truly independent production, operating on the micro-budget and practical resourcefulness that the directors are used to. The film follows Ashly Burch (Horizon Zero Dawn) and Jordan Rodrigues (Lady Bird) as they travel across the country after an alien tentacle teleports their belongings.
The film has not yet been released.
Arcadian (Directed by Ben Brewer)
In the near future, Nicholas Cage protects his two boys from creatures of the post-apocalypse. This thriller/horror movie leans more thriller, but still contains great horror elements including a unique creature design. Once the monsters arrive, the survivors must fight to endure the night.
Omni Loop (Directed by Bernardo Britto)
There’s something about time loop movies that get to the deeper meaning of life. This directorial debut from writer/director Bernardo Britto is deep, engaging, and funny. Starring Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds) and Ayo Ediberi (The Bear), Parker’s character uses time travel pills to buy enough time to fix the literal black hole in her heart.
The Uninvited (Directed by Nadia Conners)
Writer/director Nadia Conners brings comedy, drama, and intrigue to narrative feature debut. Elizabeth Reaser (Twilight) must host the perfect party for her agent husband (Walton Goggins, Justified) and his Hollywood friends. A lost, confused old woman (Lois Smith, Lady Bird) crashes the party, as well as the protagonist’s ex-lover, Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian).
The film has not yet been released.
Duplass Brothers Indie TV Showcase – UT Austin
University of Texas at Austin alums and longtime indie filmmakers Jay and Mark Duplass have used festival success to make movies, but now they have a new proposition: indie TV at SXSW. Because of changes in how TV shows are made, the Duplass Brothers have decided to finance and produce the first season of low-budget TV shows, then pitch the finished product to streamers and networks.
Featured in the showcase are Penelope, Ryley Walker and Friends, The Broadcast, and The Long Long Night. Penelope is a coming-of-age story about a girl running away from home, and it has already been picked up by Netflix. Ryley Walker and Friends is a documentary about the titular singer, and The Broadcast, and The Long Long Night are both focused on the antics of two frenemies, with The Broadcast getting especially wacky (the two stars are trained clowns).
Penelope streaming on Netflix.
Texas Shorts Competition 2024
The Texas Shorts screening at SXSW featured a mix of documentary and narrative films by Texan filmmakers: Beeps, Hair Care, Jedo’s Dead, Live From the Clouds, The Passing, The Queen vs Texas, and Sangre Violenta / Sangre Violeta. Beeps stood out as an especially funny documentary. It follows Sam, who tries to track down a beeping sound in his neighborhood that’s driving him crazy. This results in Sam building community with his neighbors as they help him solve the problem.
I am an Austin, TX based filmmaker and photographer. I moved from Houston to attend the University of Texas at Austin, where I graduated in 2022. I'm a lifelong music lover and spend most of my weekends attending shows. Some recent favorites are K. Flay, Devon Again, and Farmer's Wife. Other than that, I enjoy reading, writing, playing volleyball, yoga, and gaming.
