The 39th annual South by Southwest festival proved to be another groundbreaking event. Celebrated for its innovation, the festival featured an extensive lineup of film and television premieres; engaging panel discussions covering topics, such as filmmaking, technology and personal wellness, as well as engaging activities, ensuring that every moment was filled with energy and creativity.
This year’s panels provided valuable insights for attendees. The cast and creators of “The Last of Us” held a panel to discuss the highly anticipated second season of the series. Another highlight was the panel, “Location, Location, Location: A Filmmaker’s Guide to Real-World Production,” which gave insight into the importance of location in filmmaking, focusing on Texas’s opportunities for film and its potential to be a prime destination for filmmakers.
To further promote Texas filmmaking, Media for Texas held a massive event at the Capitol, where the public could learn about every aspect it takes to create a film from screenwriting to post-production. The event also advocated for stronger film incentives, with a recently proposed incentive bill to fund the state with $500 million every two years for the next ten years, with $450 million going towards tax credits and $48 million being allocated for films and commercials.
The film lineup of SXSW was a key attraction of the festival. Film enthusiasts were ecstatic for premieres, like “Another Simple Favor” and “The Studio” — the former being the anticipated sequel to “A Simple Favor,” starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively, and the latter being an original debut. “The Studio” is set to be a comedy television series — co-created by Seth Rogen and featuring a star-studded cast, including Kathryn Hahn, Chase Sui Wonders and Ike Barinholtz. The show was praised for its humor and satirization of the film industry.
The momentum continued with premieres, such as “O’dessa,” starring Sadie Sink, and A24’s “Death of a Unicorn,” an original comedy horror film featuring Jenna Ortega, Paul Rudd and Will Poulter. This film was Alex Scharfman’s directorial debut.
Christopher Landon’s “Drop” debuted with strong performances by Meghann Fahy and Brendan Skenlar. The film had clever humor and unexpected twists. Closing out the festival was “On Swift Horses,” a visually stunning romantic drama starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Will Poulter, Jacob Elordi, Sasha Calle and Diego Calva. This film stood out with its incredible performances, self-discovery storytelling and beautiful cinematography. It was an excellent ending to the festival for films.
Attendees were also treated to a variety of interactive experiences throughout the festival. The registrant lounge served as a hub for relaxation and connection, offering complimentary refreshments, giveaways and creative activities. Highlights included Shea Moisture’s professional hairstyling services and NoBull’s giveaway of free shoes to the first 100 people to arrive. Tari Hot Sauce promoted its array of flavors with a claw machine where guests could win a Peruvian llama keychain, while the F1Arcade captivated guests with its innovative drink-making experience; attendees could input a song into an iPad and create a custom beverage inspired by the song’s mood and rhythm.
SXSW 2025 celebrated the best of the entertainment industry, delivering exceptional entertainment and solidifying its reputation as a strong creative network. From inspiring panels to memorable premieres and interactive activations, this year’s festival set another high standard for years to come.
