SXSW 2025
More than 100 titles kick off SXSW's Film & TV Festival 2025 lineup
The Studio gets a special spot on the lineup as the opening night TV premiere.
South by Southwest (SXSW) is on a roll announcing its 2025 lineups. Next up: the Film & TV Festival. January 22 marks the first round of announcements, including information on the opening night TV premiere — Seth Rogen's The Studio — and 96 features in total.
This festival is broad-reaching, containing not just feature films and TV series, but also XR experiences, short films, music videos, independent pilots, and more.
The Studio is an on-the-nose choice for a festival welcoming so many creators, executives, and other industry players. The series follows a film studio fighting tooth and nail to stay relevant.
“We are thrilled to welcome Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg back to SXSW with our Opening Night TV Premiere, The Studio," said a SXSW spokesperson in a news release. "This brilliantly conceived series is exquisitely cast and written, capturing the fanatical love, dedication, pressure, and, yes, the hubris that defines our industry. It’s hilariously spot-on, bringing to life the stories we’ve all heard or witnessed firsthand. We can’t wait to experience the joy and energy radiating from the Paramount when we share this gem with the world.”
Among the projects SXSW cherry picks to highlight on the Film & TV Festival website are Holland, a thriller featuring Nicole Kidman as a teacher; Ash, a space mystery directed by record producer Flying Lotus; and Uvalde Mom, a documentary that platforms a parent who ran into Robb Elementary to save her kids while law enforcement waited to act.
As mentioned above, there are tons of films in this first announcement, so let's focus on categories. They are:
- Headliner, focusing on "[b]ig names, big talent"
- Narrative Feature Competition and Documentary Feature Competition, presenting feats of fictional and real storytelling
- Narrative Spotlight and Documentary Spotlight, presenting world, North American, and U.S. premieres
- Visions, made with creative risks
- Midnighter, niche films for "the terminally curious"
- Global, featuring films from around the world
- 24 Beats Per Second, focusing on music
- Festival Favorite, curated from other festivals around the world
- Special Event, with additional programming
On the TV side, there's:
- TV Premiere, featuring the works of established showrunners
- TV Spotlight, compiling new series globally
- Independent TV Pilot Competition, as named, focuses on indie pilots
Finally, there are competitions in various shorts categories (including one for shorts from Texas), and an XR Experience Spotlight.
A full (extremely long) lineup so far for 2025 is available at sxsw.com.
DIIV's set was moody, but propulsive thanks to strong bass lines.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Zachary Cole Smith can always be counted on for a nostalgic 'fit.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Starcleaner Reunion singer Jo Roman keeps the beat.Photo by Brianna Caleri
From the looks of it, no one had a better time onstage than Wayne Coyne, frontman of the Flaming Lips.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The tinsel whip was one of many props.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Flaming Lips are known for touring with huge inflatables.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A joyful crowd reacts to being blasted with confetti during the Flaming Lips' set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Ty Segall was king of the guitar jams.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Segall's painted jeans were probably the most unique fashion statement all weekend.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Psych Fest uniform: Earthy shorts and calf tattoos.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thomas Attar Bellier of Al-Qasar plays a beautifully adorned electric saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The more mics, the better for Al-Qasar.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A closer look at the saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Lyrics in Arabic brought extra gravitas to the set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
How's that for a desert hallucination?Photo by Brianna Caleri
New Candys guitarist Emanuele Zanardo puts a physical flourish in his playing.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A portal opens...Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Black Angels interrupted the technicolor parade for a largely black-and-white set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Black Angels bassist Misti Hamrick-French basks in the cold glow of a strobe light.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Dumbo Gets Mad reminds us that Italians just get fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Luca Bergomi gets in on bassist Ivan Torelli's shot.Photo by Brianna Caleri
LA LOM bassist Jake Faulkner captures the sun.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Zac Sokolow danced for the whole set, which happened to be on his birthday.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's grandstanding added flavor to the show, which ultimately didn't need psychedelic visuals.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's howls cut through the air, hardly amplified.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Trish Toledo paid homage to mothers and couples in her romantic set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Not a practical shoe for a rainy weekend. We salute her sacrifice for fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thee Sacred Souls closed out the festival with a brass section.Photo by Brianna Caleri
This backup singer was exquisitely styled in blue.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Singer Josh Lane snapped a photo of an adoring audience. See you next time, Josh.Photo by Brianna Caleri