The South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference and Festivals has announced its highly anticipated 2025 Film & TV Festival slate, showcasing a diverse array of films, television projects, and immersive experiences.
Set to take place from March 7-14, 2025, in Austin, Texas, this year’s festival marks the 32nd edition and promises to continue its tradition of celebrating innovative and boundary-pushing storytelling.
Kicking off the festival is the Opening Night TV Premiere of “The Studio”, an Apple TV+ series from the creative duo Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. Rogen stars as Matt Remick, the newly appointed head of Continental Studios, navigating the tumultuous landscape of the film industry alongside a cast including Catherine O’Hara, Ike Barinholtz, and Katheryn Hahn. The series is described as a humorous and insightful look into the pressures and challenges faced by those in the entertainment industry, capturing the essence of creativity and chaos that defines filmmaking.
The 2025 lineup features an impressive 96 feature films, including 82 world premieres, 57 short films and 18 music videos. The television program consists of 16 projects, with five premieres and a selection of independent pilots, while the XR Experience Program showcases 31 projects, highlighting the festival’s commitment to immersive storytelling.
Claudette Godfrey, VP of Film & TV, expressed her excitement about the lineup, stating, “The same undeniable creative electricity in “The Studio” runs through our 2025 program — you can feel a bit of magic happening in every film, series, and immersive experience we’ve curated this year.” She emphasized the festival’s dedication to showcasing bold and innovative storytellers who challenge perspectives and spark important conversations.
The festival will feature various screening categories, including the Narrative Feature Competition, Documentary Feature Competition, and several spotlight sections. Additionally, audience awards will be presented across multiple categories, with winners announced on March 12.
“The Makings of Curtis Mayfield”, directed by and featuring Grammy Award winning musical artist and actor, H.E.R., explores the legacy and deep musical and cultural influence of singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, and entrepreneur Curtis Mayfield. Featuring Curtis Mayfield, H.E.R., Dr. Dre, Mary J Blige, John Legend, Lena Waithe, Stephen Marley, Maxwell, Tom Morello, and Ernie Isley.
In “The Dutchman”, a successful Black businessman, haunted by his crumbling marriage and identity crisis, is drawn into a psychological game of cat and mouse with a mysterious white woman he encounters on a New York subway. Cast: André Holland, Kate Mara, Zazie Beetz, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Aldis Hodge, and Lauren E. Banks
”The Accountant 2” depicts its precursor’s lead, Christian Wolff, being brought out of hiding by Treasury Agent Marybeth Medina after someone close to them is killed by unknown assassins. To solve the murder, Wolff must recruit the help of his estranged but highly lethal brother Brax. Cast: Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Daniella Pineda, Allison Robertson, and J.K. Simmons.
“The Astronaut” tells of an astronaut who believes something extraterrestrial has followed her back to Earth. Cast: Kate Mara, Laurence Fishburne, Gabriel Luna, Ivana Milicevic, and Macy Gray
In the documentary “Assembly”, visionary artist Rashaad Newsome merges art, AI, and performance to transform a former military facility into a Black queer utopia. Through immersive storytelling and visuals, the film explores how creativity can heal, unite, and spark liberation.
SXSW is also an official qualifying festival for the Academy Awards® Short Film competition, providing filmmakers with the opportunity for recognition at prestigious award ceremonies. The festival also serves as a vital platform for creative professionals to connect and collaborate, furthering its mission to support the creative community.
As SXSW expands its reach with upcoming events in Sydney and London, the 2025 Film & TV Festival promises to be an unforgettable celebration of creativity and innovation.
See the full lineup for SXSW 2025, which takes place March 7-15, 2025, and experience the magic of storytelling in all its forms.
