South by Southwest

 CA Unfortunately I didn't have the pleasure of watching Drag Me To Hell when it screened (as a "work in progress") at this year's SXSW Film Festival, but a whole bunch of Cinematical writers really dug it, and why wouldn't they: Sam Raimi has done wonders ...

 CA - Erik Davis by Erik Davis Apr 29th 2009 // 5:02PM Each year the Tribeca Film Festival (along with other fests, like SXSW and Sundance) screen these mini short films/skits prior to each movie. I like to call them "bumps", and their purpose is to promote the ...

By Cinematical staff Nights and Weekends marks writer-director Joe Swanberg's fourth consecutive film at the South by Southwest Film Festival, and it's quite possibly his strongest work yet. Here, Swanberg co-directs and stars alongside girl-next-door-with-an-edge Greta Gerwig - and the two play a cou...

By Jette Kernion Filed under: Awards, SXSW, Shorts, DIY/Filmmaking, Home Entertainment, Cinematical IndieWe're well into August, and here in Austin it's hot and dry and the last thing most of us are thinking about is anything going on next March. But over at SXSW, they're ignoring the dog days of summer a...

By Scott Weinberg Filed under: Comedy, Horror, SXSW, Lionsgate FilmsOne of the best things about last March's South By Southwest Film Festival was that I got to hang out with a bunch of Cinematipals like Kim, Erik, Pete, Jette, Snider and Gene ... and one of the best times we had together was during the world pre...

By Kim Voynar Wow, this news threw me for a loop. According to indieWIRE, our mutual friend Matt Dentler, producer of the South By Southwest Film Festival since 2004, is leaving his post (and Austin) to move to New York City, where he will head the marketing and programming operations of Cinetic Media's...

By Jette Kernion The recent U.S. involvement in Iraq has become one of the biggest subjects for documentaries in the past few years, and it's hard not to feel weary of watching the variety of movies on this topic, no matter how varied and original they might be. Phil Donahue has contributed to the genre with Bod...

By James Rocchi What were the big films at SXSW? What buzzword's rapidly becoming synonymous with lazy film journalism? And what happens when an alternative to the Oscars documentary nomination process follows close in the Academy's wake? Joining us this week on The Rocchi Review to talk abot SXSW and...

By James Rocchi What's the point of going to a festival like Cannes? Is there really a bigger appreciation of 'art' films in Europe? Why do movie studios spend millions of dollars for stunts and publicity at Cannes? When you're blogging, is anything ever really off the record? Joining us this week from th...

By Jette Kernion Filed under: Animation, Documentary, SXSW, Shorts, Cinematical IndieI would normally follow the question "Got a short film you've made?" with the suggestion that you email a link to the short to Cinematical to include in the Eat My Shorts column. However, today I have an even better idea...

By Jette Kernion I didn't manage to snap any celebrity photos at SXSW this year, unfortunately. I saw Richard Linklater at the Hell on Wheels screening but he was surrounded by a small crowd. And I didn't go to many parties, because I am a delicate flower who needs at least a little rest during festivals. Despit...

By Scott Weinberg Then a few weeks ago the producer of the South By Southwest Film Festival asked me if I'd write up the "festival guide synopsis" for Severance, and so I did. During the festival I introduced the film to 300 raving gorehounds. Far as I could tell, they all liked the flick a whole lot. So that's thre...

By Jette Kernion Tonight, the Austin Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (aGLIFF) starts at the Arbor Theater and runs through Oct. 8, with a variety of films and parties scheduled. The opening-night films will be followed by a gala event down at City Hall. I'm covering the festival for Cinematical, so look for rev...

By Scott Weinberg Filed under: SXSW, Tech Stuff, Scripts & Screenwriting, Exhibition, DIY/Filmmaking, Home Entertainment, Movie MarketingPut aside all the great movies, awesome food, lovely people and kick-ass music, and what does the South By Southwest Film Festival have to offer? Conferenc...

By Karina Longworth This upcoming Monday evening (May 15) in New York City, Cinematical will be hosting a screening of Independent Spirit Award Winner Cavite, to be followed by a Q & A with filmmakers Ian Gamazon and Neill Dela Llana -- all lead by yours truly.  Maybe you saw Cavite at festivals such as SXSW...

By Jette Kernion Filed under: Independent, SXSW, Mystery & Suspense After seeing Hard Candy at SXSW, I participated in a roundtable interview with director David Slade (shown above) and writer Brian Nelson. Hard Candy was the first feature film credit for both the writer and director.

By Karina Longworth But then, because irony is a virus that we cannot escape, and can only hope to contain, in the Spring of 2004 Pixies came back, for an almost-two-year, sold-out tour called - wait for it - Pixies Sell Out. loudQUIETloud, a film by Steven Cantor and Matthew Galkin which had its world premiere l...

By Jette Kernion Jumping Off Bridges was the last of a half-dozen feature-length films shot in Austin that I saw during SXSW this year. I wish I could say all the films shared some vital Austin trait, or that they each reminded me of Austin in different ways. But Jumping Off Bridges has a universal look and feel...

By Jette Kernion Filed under: SXSW, Film Blog Group HugBryan Poyser, producer and co-writer of The Cassidy Kids, shares the six most important things he learned from SXSW this year, as a filmmaker and an attendee. I would have thought he'd already know that "dark elves can't be trusted," but then he does li...

By Jette Kernion The Cassidy Kids nearly sold out the Paramount in its premiere screening during SXSW. The crowd contained a number of people affiliated with Burnt Orange Productions, a local production company. Burnt Orange partners with the University of Texas so film students can work as crew on local...