Film FAQ

SXSW Film takes place in Austin, Texas each March. This year's dates are March 12 - 20, 2010.

The SXSW Film Conference and Festival is a uniquely creative environment featuring the dynamic convergence of talent, smart audiences and industry heavyweights. A hotbed of discovery and interactivity, the event offers lucrative networking opportunities and immersion into the art and business of the rapidly evolving world of independent film.

Over the first five days, the Film Conference buzzes as world-class speakers, creative minds, and notable mentors tackle the latest filmmaking trends amidst the unmatched social atmosphere of the SXSW experience. Simultaneously, the internationally acclaimed, nine-day Festival celebrates raw innovation and emerging talent, with a truly diverse program ranging from provocative documentaries to subversive Hollywood comedies.

SXSW Film launched in 1994, so this year will be our 17th event!

SXSW Film Conference events take place at the Austin Convention Center between Friday, March 12 - Tuesday, March 16, 2010 from 11:00am - 6:00pm. Film screenings take place daily from 11:00am through midnight shows, starting Friday, March 12 - Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the Austin Convention Center, Paramount Theatre, Alamo Ritz, Hideout, and the Alamo South Lamar. Networking events and parties are held in a variety of venues in downtown Austin throughout the event.

The range of registrants at SXSW Film includes distribution company presidents, first-time filmmakers, film fans, veteran film crew members, and everything in-between. Representatives from major and independent distribution houses scout films and talent. Writers conduct interviews and madly watch films. Filmmakers check out films from around the world that are rarely seen in America. Actors, directors, agents, distributors and screenwriters get together and talk. People seeking new business, fascinated with new films and exploring new technologies find what they need at the trade show and panels.

A SXSW Film badge is an affordable way for industry professionals and fans alike to gain priority access to screenings, full access to the Conference and Trade Shows, and great opportunities for networking at a host of lively parties and social events. It also allows access to the Trade Show and Day Stage during SXSW Music. You may also purchase single admission tickets at the door before individual screenings, space permitting.

Whether you are a newcomer to the film industry, a well-established veteran or an avid film fan, SXSW Film provides a great opportunity to network with people who can help you move your career to the next level and educate you on how the industry works.

A SXSW Film registration badge is the only way you can attend all the panels, workshops, mentor sessions, hands-on demos, Trade Show and Parties!!! In addition to receiving the Registrants' Directory/Program Book and the Big Bag of goodies, SXSW Film registrants also get priority entrance to SXSW Film Festival venues. You also get access to the Online Registrants' Database, a version of the conference Registrants' Directory complete with e-mail addresses, to assist in your business contact needs throughout the year.

When you register for SXSW via the website, you will be taken to a page where you can book lodging via the SXSW Housing Desk. More info on hotels can be found here.

All theaters are within walking distance or a short cab ride from each other. One screen is in the Austin Convention Center (ACC). The Paramount Theatre and The Hideout are downtown on Congress Ave., the Alamo Ritz (which will have two screens) is just a couple of blocks away on 6th Street, and three screens at the Alamo South Lamar will show SXSW films as well. For detailed directions, see the map in your program book.

The SXSW Film Conference, Trade Show, and Panels close on Tuesday, March 16, capped by the annual Film Awards Ceremony at the ACC Theater and closing night party. However, film festival screenings will still take place daily at each venue through March 20, including some festival premieres! That gives you nine days to enjoy the privileges of your film badge!

Location, location, location. The Alamo Ritz is located on 6th Street in the heart of Austin’s club district, only a few blocks away from the Austin Convention Center. The Alamo South Lamar, where we host three screens, is a few minutes from downtown, easily accessible on our own shuttle buses, city bus or cab at 1120 South Lamar Blvd. Both are fantastic venues, where you can eat and drink beer, milkshakes, and at the Ritz, even hard liquor is available!

Yes. These will go on sale about 15 minutes prior to screening time if there is still seating available. The single admission ticket price is $10 for all screenings.

Badge-holders should arrive at least 30 minutes before screenings are scheduled to start. Seating will happen on a priority basis - badge-holders first, then pass-holders, and lastly single-admission ticket holders, if any seats remain once badges and passes are in. If you have a pass or a badge, and you want to ensure you get a seat, we strongly urge you to arrive at screening venues at least 45 minutes before screening time. If you need to purchase a single-admission ticket, we recommend you arrive an hour or more before screening time, especially at smaller venues like the Alamo Ritz.

It depends on the theater. There is plenty of free parking at the Alamo South Lamar. For the Alamo Ritz, Paramount, and Austin Convention Center theaters, there are several parking options. Since these venues are downtown, there are a number of paid garages and parking lots available to you. Be mindful of the strict towing and ticketing laws for certain parking spaces, including those curbside.

The easiest way is to get the concierge at your hotel to call you a cab. From the theaters, you can call American Yellow Checker cab at 512/452-9999. Fares are fairly inexpensive in Austin. A cab from the Convention Center to the Paramount Theater normally costs around $6. For a cab from the Convention Center to the Alamo South Lamar, the fare will be closer to $8, without heavy traffic.

On March 18, 19, and 20, SXSW hosts free shows at Auditorium Shores Stage on Lady Bird Lake. These shows often include popular artists playing in an outdoor festival setting. Check back here once the music lineup has been announced to find out who will be performing!

Every year, a big part of the SXSW Film Conference & Festival are the panels held at the Austin Convention Center. The panels at SXSW have been hailed as some of the most extensive and educational forums found in a festival setting. The business and art of making films come together in a unique environment only SXSW could provide. SXSW takes advantage of the convergence of the Film and Interactive worlds by offering joint panel sessions, trade shows and parties. There are also one-on-one mentor sessions and mini-meetings to offer even greater insight and training for select topics. Check out some of our recent highlighted speakers!

Registrants may sign up for ten-minute sessions with selected panelists, who represent a wide variety of professions within the film business. This is a great opportunity to meet one-on-one with established professionals and get clear, personalized advice.

SXSW Film Festival is a highly competitive program consisting of several different sections, curated in-house by SXSW Film Programmers. Submissions are accepted from August until early December. For an idea of our programming, please check our SXSW 2009 archive.

Screening at SXSW is a cost effective way for your film to reach a wide segment of the film industry and generate valuable buzz. If your film is accepted for a screening and you effectively prepare and promote your film, you will have the chance to screen for a highly influential audience of industry experts and knowledgeable film lovers.

SXSW will receive over three thousand submissions. Please include everything that is requested on the online submission form including a 35 word logline, 250 word synopsis, director's bio, cast and crew lists, and list of previous and planned screenings. Do not underestimate the importance of reading and following the instructions - check out the Submission FAQ for more info.

Because it's really fun! And it's a great way to network and learn so much of what you'll need in your filmmaking life. Opportunities for film professionals do not stop at screenings for the prepared professional - informative panels reveal tips and tricks of the industry, the Trade Show gives a chance to size up the offerings and bend a few ears, and the parties provide access to movers and shakers across all spectrums of the filmmaking and new technology worlds. Creative self-promotion can create a buzz without your film even being screened!

Peruse the SXSW Film web pages.

E-mail us at film@sxsw.com. Or, call SXSW Film at 512/467-7979.

If you receive text messages on your phone, you’re able to take advantage of this new feature at SXSW. Visit: http://www.sxsw.com/tools/sms/ to get information about registering your phone to receive schedule updates and also participate in the SXSW Audience Awards.

We're sorry! You can find more information at the Info Desk in the Registration area at SXSW HQ starting March 11 or email us at film@sxsw.com.

Austin is a culturally-diverse community with a thriving film scene. Prominent film industry professionals from Austin include Robert Rodriguez, Richard Linklater, Mike Judge, William Broyles, Lawrence Wright and Sandra Bullock. For more information about Austin, check out Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Although spring weather in Austin can be unpredictable, the weather is usually in the 70's during the day and in the 50's and 60's at night. Murphy's Law of Meteorological Events dictates that if you bring an umbrella, it probably won't rain.

Yes. Each of our venues will have designated seating that is wheelchair accessible. For more information, please check the Alamo Drafthouse, Paramount Theatre, Austin Convention Center, and the Hideout's websites.