The South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival and Conference is approaching and the excitement builds as the list of participants, premieres and parties comes into focus. SXSW Film 2002, a four day film conference, March 9-12 at the Austin Convention Center, and nine day film festival, March 8 – 16, is an important meeting place for film industry professionals and has become a permanent part of many people’s itineraries. Designed for the working independent film community from novice to expert, SXSW Film has much to offer.
The film conference features panels, workshops, mini-meetings, mentoring sessions, hands-on sessions, and case studies with internationally prominent film industry professionals. This year’s focus will include digital moviemaking and the technology of the future, homemade filmmaking, desktop animation, regional filmmaking for regional audiences; and hands-on workshops with new cameras, lighting and editing equipment. Panelists that are scheduled to participate include: Elizabeth Avellan, producer of Spy Kids; Eamonn Bowles, Magnolia Pictures; L M Kit Carson, producer of Bottle Rocket; Christian Gaines, AFI Film Festival; Rana Joy Glickman, producer of God Said Ha!, Chris Gore, editor of Film Threat; Cynthia Hargrave, executive producer of Hurricane Streets; Gill Holland, cineBLAST!; Harry Knowles, Aint It Cool News; Joe Leydon, Variety; Richard Linklater, director of Waking Life; Ron Mann, director of Grass; Albert Maysles, director of Gimme Shelter; Tim McCanlies, writer, The Iron Giant; Elvis Mitchell, host of Independent Focus; Mark Moore, ILM; John Pierson, Grainy Pictures; Glen Pitre, filmmaker; Greg Rhem, programmer, HBO; Bob Sabiston, animator for Waking Life; John Sayles, director for Lone Star; John Sloss, executive producer of Boys Don’t Cry; Paul Stekler, director of Wallace: Settin’ the Woods on Fire; Jeffrey Tambor, actor; Jackie Tepper, Acquisitions, Fine Line; Anne Walker-McBay, producer of Tape; and Lawrence Wright, writer, The Siege.
The film festival, a celebration of cinematic vision and independent spirit will showcase nearly 200 shorts and features including regional, U.S. and world premieres in an array of categories – documentaries, narrative films, first films, animated shorts, experimental shorts, music videos, midnight movies, and special screenings. Films accepted at SXSW to date include: Chris Smith’s Home Movie, Mike Binder’s The Search for John Gissing, George Ratliff and Tommy Pallotta’s Hell House, Alexandre Rockwell’s 13 Moons, Mike Gordon’s On The Banks, and Glen Pitre’s Scoundrel’s Wife. This year’s attending filmmakers will include Lloyd Kaufman, John Sayles, and Albert Maysles.
SXSW registrants are not only given access to panels and priority access to the film festival, but also have the opportunity to attend SXSW sponsored parties and the joint Film/Interative Trade Show. In addition, the Online Registrants’ directory, available from January to December, is an invaluable listing of film industry professionals attending the conference. SXSW Film creates an unparalleled opportunity for networking, discussion, and watching film that no one interested in independent film should miss.
Get more info by calling 512-467-7979 or by sending an e-mail to SXSW or by visiting the official SXSW web site.
Check out FILMTHREAT.com’s FILM FESTIVAL ARCHIVES for more fest news!
