SXSW 2019 | The Films of South by Southwest

The South by Southwest Festival is one of the largest of its kind in the world. Every year, thousands of fans arrive in downtown Austin, TX to partake in a couple of weeks of great music, technology, and film. For this special episode of The Hollywood Outsider, we take you along for our annual deep dive into the heart of the film festival portion, and even further into the films themselves.

Over the course of nine days, the 2019 SXSW Film Festival screened over 130 features, many from first-time filmmakers (consisting of World Premieres, North American Premieres, and US Premieres), shorts, virtual reality exhibits, title design, and other works. These films were selected from thousands of overall submissions, and – while we can’t see them all – we have a nice sample to share with you of what came out of this stellar lineup of independent films. Over 20 films are on our docket this year (see below for a complete list), and we review them all…with more than a few surprises along the way.

So sit back and relax. You’re about to experience South by Southwest from the comfort of your own home.

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Title	Synopsis
Alice	After discovering that her husband’s addiction to escorts has left their family penniless, Alice finds herself drawn into the world of high-end prostitution as a means of caring for herself and her child.
The Art of Self Defense	A man who is attacked at random on the street and enlists in a local dojo, led by a charismatic and mysterious Sensei, in an effort to learn how to defend himself.
Booksmart	On the eve of their high school graduation, two academic superstars and best friends realize they should have worked less and played more. Determined not to fall short of their peers, the girls try to cram four years of fun into one night.
Cobra Kai	Decades after their 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament bout, a middle-aged Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence find themselves martial-arts rivals again.
Come As You Are	Three young men with disabilities hit the road with a jaded nurse driver to a brothel in Montreal catering to people with special needs. Remake of the acclaimed Belgian film ‘Hasta La Vista’.
Go Back to China	When spoiled rich girl Sasha Li blows through most of her trust fund, she is cut off by her father and forced to go back to China and work for the family toy business.
Good Boys	Three sixth grade boys ditch school and embark on an epic journey while carrying accidentally stolen drugs, being hunted by teenage girls, and trying to make their way home in time for a long-awaited party.
The Highwaymen	A pair of police officers come out of retirement to catch the infamous outlaws Bonnie & Clyde.
I See You	In a perfect town filled with perfect families, twelve-year-old Justin Whitter has gone missing. Greg Harper, lead investigator on the case, struggles to balance the pressures of the investigation which has brought to attention a similar case thought to be buried in the past, while finding a way to forgive his well-heeled wife, Jackie (Helen Hunt), for a recent infidelity. Great strain is put on the family as Jackie’s guilt slowly gnaws away at her grip on reality, and when a malicious presence manifests itself and puts their young son, Connor, in mortal danger, the cold, hard truth about evil in the Harper household is finally uncovered.
Little Monsters	Dave (ALEXANDER ENGLAND), a washed-up musician, volunteers to chaperone his nephew’s Kindergarten field trip after taking a shine to the plucky schoolteacher, Miss Caroline (LUPITA NYONG’O). Dave’s intentions are complicated by the presence of world famous child entertainer and competitor for Miss Caroline’s affections, Teddy McGiggle (JOSH GAD). One thing none of them bargained for, however, is a sudden zombie outbreak, from which Dave and Miss Caroline must protect the children.
Long Shot	When Fred Flarsky reunites with his first crush, one of the most influential women in the world, Charlotte Field, he charms her. As she prepares to make a run for the Presidency, Charlotte hires Fred as her speechwriter and sparks fly.
Mickey and the Bear	Faced with the responsibility to take care of her addict, veteran father, headstrong teen Mickey Peck keeps her household afloat. When she has the opportunity to leave for good, she must choose between familial obligation and personal fulfillment.
The Mountain	The story of a young man who, after losing his mother, goes to work with a doctor specializing in lobotomies and therapies.
Ms. White Light	Ms. White Light is the story of Lex Cordova, a young woman who counsels terminally ill clients that have trouble letting go. While proving uniquely talented in her ability to connect with the dying, Lex is at a total loss when it comes to dealing with everyone else. When Valerie, a sharp-tongued free spirit who simply has no time for her own mortality, refuses to play by Lex’s rules, Lex is forced to question her own decisions, and must decide if the business of dying is truly worth it…even at the cost of living her life.
Olympic Dreams	In the Olympic Athlete Village, a young cross-country skier bonds with a volunteer doctor after her competition ends. Starring Nick Kroll and Alexi Pappas. Filmed on location in the actual Olympic Village at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics with three people comprising the entire cast and crew: Jeremy Teicher, Nick Kroll, and Alexi Pappas. Real Olympic athletes, including Jamie Anderson and Gus Kenworthy, also make their way into the film as additional characters.
Pink Wall	Six scenes. Six years. Six moments that shaped the relationship of Jenna and Leon. Pink Wall examines what defines us, the pressures of gender expectations, and our perpetual struggle between life and ambition.
Red 11	Rob, an independent filmmaker, loses his investor’s money only to find out his investors are the Cartel. He checks himself into a medical research facility to pay off his debt, but quickly realizes it won’t be that easy.
Send Me Home	Send Me Home is a 360° portrait of Rickey Jackson, one of the longest-serving exonerees in U.S. history, in his surreal, new life post-prison.
Snatchers	A teenager’s trip to the clinic becomes freakier than usual when she learns that something otherworldly is involved.
Teen Spirit	Violet is a shy teenager who dreams of escaping her small town and pursuing her passion to sing. With the help of an unlikely mentor, she enters a local singing competition that will test her integrity, talent and ambition. Driven by a pop-fueled soundtrack, Teen Spirit is a visceral and stylish spin on the Cinderella story.
Villains	After a pair of amateur criminals break into a suburban home, they stumble upon a dark secret that two sadistic homeowners will do anything to keep from getting out.
The Weekend	Zadie (Sasheer Zamata) is 29, a stand-up comedian and, as she puts it, “extremely single.” It has been three years since she split with Bradford, though the two remain close friends. Close enough that when Zadie invites him to her mother’s bed and breakfast, Bradford brings along his current girlfriend, Margo.
Yes, God, Yes	After an innocent AOL chat turns racy, a Catholic teenager in the early 00s discovers masturbating and struggles to suppress her new urges in the face of eternal damnation.
	SXSW Award Winnders
	Feature Film Grand Jury Awards
	Narrative Feature Competition
	Winner: Alice
	Documentary Feature Competition
	Winner: For Sama
	360° Video: Documentary – Send Me Home
	360° Video: Narrative – Metro Veinte: Cita Ciega
	Audience Award Winners:
	Narrative Feature Competition
	Winner: Saint Frances
	Documentary Feature Competition
	Winner: For Sama
	Headliners
	Winner: Long Shot
	Narrative Spotlight
	Winner: The Peanut Butter Falcon
	Documentary Spotlight
	Winner: Running With Beto
	Visons
	Winner: The Garden Left Behind
	Midnighters
	Winner: Boyz In The Wood
	Episodic Premiere
	Winner: Ramy
	24 Beats Per Second
	Winner: Nothing Stays the Same: The Story of the Saxon Pub
	Global
	Winner: Cachada: The Opportunity
	Festival Favorites:
	Winner: Raise Hell: The Life & Times of Molly Ivins

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