SXSW Film & TV Festival 2025: Must-See Films and Essential Tips for Navigating the Fest

For film lovers in Austin, the SXSW Film & TV Festival is like Christmas. Thousands of fans, industry leaders and filmmakers descend upon the city each March for a week of world premieres, buzzworthy screenings and events. This year’s lineup features over 100 feature films, along with a robust selection of short films, TV projects and immersive XR experiences. While the sheer volume of content can be overwhelming, a little planning goes a long way.

Whether attending for the first time or returning as a seasoned festival-goer, here’s a guide to navigating SXSW’s film lineup and making the most of the experience.

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“The Age of Disclosure” (Courtesy of Vincent Wrenn)

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Nicole Kidman in “Holland.” (Courtesy of Prime Video)

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Carey Mulligan as Nell Mortimer and Tom Basden as Herb McGwyer in director James Griffiths’ “The Ballad of Wallis Island”, a Focus Features release. (Courtesy of Alistair Heap/Focus Features)

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“We Are Storror,” directed by Michael Bay. (Photo courtesy of SXSW)

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Tim Rarus, Bridgetta Bourne-Firl, Greg Hlibok and Jerry Covell in “Deaf President Now!” (Courtesy of Apple TV+)

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Still from the documentary “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore.” (Courtesy of Aurora Brachman)

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Still from “#1 Happy Family USA.” (Courtesy of Prime Video)

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Still from “The Makings of Curtis Mayfield.” (Courtesy of Reelin In The Years)

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Still from “The Yogurt Shop Murders.” (Courtesy of SXSW)

Must-See Films and TV Shows

SXSW Film & TV Festival Vice President Claudette Godfrey highlighted several standout films and shows that festival-goers should put on their radar:

• “The Age of Disclosure“ – A hard-hitting documentary exploring government secrecy around UAPs (unidentified aerial phenomena), featuring high-profile figures like Marco Rubio and former CIA officials. 
  
• “Holland“ – Starring Nicole Kidman and Gael García Bernal, this film marks director Mimi Cave’s return to SXSW, where she first showcased music videos. Expect red carpet buzz and a lively crowd outside the Paramount.
  
• “The Ballad of Wallis Island“ – This heartwarming, humorous film from Sundance has already built a strong following. It’s screening at the Zach Theatre, one of SXSW’s larger venues.
  
• “We Are Storror“ – A surprise SXSW entry, this parkour documentary was initially credited to the famous Storror group—until it was revealed that Michael Bay directed it.
  
• “Deaf President Now!” & “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore“ – Two films highlighting the Deaf community, including a documentary on Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin and a film about the fight for representation at Gallaudet University.
  
• “#1 Happy Family USA“ – A bold, subversive animated series from Rami Youssef that tackles post-9/11 Muslim-American identity with sharp humor and a star-studded voice cast.
  
• “The Makings of Curtis Mayfield“ – A must-watch for music fans, this documentary is the directorial debut of Grammy-winning artist H.E.R.
  
• “The Yogurt Shop Murders“ – A gripping true-crime documentary about one of Austin’s most haunting unsolved cases.

Navigating the festival like a pro

With numerous screenings and events spread across multiple venues, a game plan is essential. Godfrey suggests several strategies to help attendees make the most of SXSW:

Use the SXSW app and favoriting system

The SXSW GO app allows attendees to filter screenings by category, country, genre, and premiere status. “Favoriting” at least five to ten must-see films helps create a structured schedule.

SXXpress passes for priority access

SXSW registrants with a badge can request up to three (Platinum/Interactive) or two (Film & TV/Music) SXXpress passes per day for priority entry. Requests open at 9:00 a.m. the day before each event, and high-demand screenings fill up in seconds, so be ready.

Arrive early, especially for big premieres

Without an SXXpress pass, attendees should arrive hours in advance for major screenings.

No badge? No problem

Single tickets are available for purchase at venues like the Paramount and Zach, though getting a seat at the headliner screenings is unlikely.

Backup plans are essential

Not every plan works out. Lines fill quickly so a backup list of films or events is essential to fully experiencing the festival.

SXSW passes and film festival info

Beyond film premieres, SXSW includes conference sessions featuring industry panels and keynotes, music and comedy showcases and creative industry exhibitions.

Film screenings span several Austin venues, including the Paramount Theatre, Zach Theatre, Alamo Drafthouse locations, AFS Cinema and the Hyatt Regency ballroom—a new venue added this year. The Hyatt will host second screenings for major films, providing another opportunity to see popular titles.

Festival badges offer priority access, but individual tickets for select screenings are available at venue box offices or online through the SXSW website. Single-ticket availability varies, and screenings at larger venues like the Paramount and Zach Theatre typically offer more seats for individual sale.

For SXSW Film & TV Festival attendees, flexibility is essential. Planning ahead helps, but some of the most memorable festival experiences come from spontaneous discoveries.

As Godfrey puts it, “There’s a lot of good stuff in here. And I like when you can curate your experience—where you’re seeing some really big stuff, where you’re with that huge audience and it’s so much fun—and then getting to see some stuff that’s discovery, that’s unique and different.”

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