The 7 Most Buzzworthy Films From This Year's SXSW Festival!

Originally a music festival, South by Southwest (SXSW) has grown into a global platform for discovery across film, music, and tech. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the festival joined all of its events across a single week-long schedule and expanded its music festival Yet at its core, SXSW remains all about breakthrough storytelling, reflected in this year’s standout films. 

1. I Love Boosters (dir. Boots Riley)

Leading the lineup was I Love Boosters, directed by Boots Riley, who broke into the film industry in 2018 with his directorial debut, I’m Sorry to Bother You. The film is a surreal, fashion-infused heist film that quickly became the festival’s most talked-about title. Its mix of absurdity and sharp social critique starring Keke Palmer, Demi Moore, Will Poulter, and Lakeith Stanfield. 

2. Hokum (dir. Damian McCarthy)

Another buzzy title was Hokum, starring Adam Scott, a genre-bending indie that quickly gained attention for its offbeat tone and inventive storytelling. While less mainstream than some premieres, it embodies the kind of unconventional filmmaking that SXSW has championed for four decades.

3. Kill Me (dir. Peter Warren)

Kill Me blends thriller and dark comedy, starring Charlie Day alongside Allison Williams as a reluctant 911 operator who, together, unravel a strange and escalating mystery. 

4. Never After Dark (dir. Dave Boyle)