SXSW 2025: Film Festival Highlights
By Crystal Justine
SXSW is undeniably one of the most anticipated and celebrated annual festivals in the world, drawing creatives from the film, music, and tech industries to Austin, TX, for an exciting week of premieres, performances, panels, and immersive experiences. Now in its 32nd year, SXSW continues to set the stage for the next big trends and the future of entertainment. TheCinemaNook attended the festival, which recently wrapped up and there was a lot that took place!
Here are some of the most memorable moments from the SXSW Film Festival 2025.
Awards
Feature Film Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature – SLANTED
Amy Wang’s SLANTED, a body-horror drama, captured the Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature. With an impressive 8.9/10 rating on IMDb and a current perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film tells the story of Joan, a teenage Chinese immigrant at a predominantly Caucasian high school, who discovers a company offering transracial surgeries. As Joan grapples with the decision to undergo the procedure that can turn her white, SLANTED explores themes of identity, race and belonging. The film stars Shirley Chen (Didi) and McKenna Grace (Ghostbusters: Afterlife), both delivering standout performances.
Special Jury Award for a Multi-Hyphenate – Annapurna Sriram – FUCKTOYS
Annapurna Sriram took home the Special Jury Award for Multi-Hyphenate for her daring dark comedy FUCKTOYS. Not only did Sriram star in the film, but she also served as executive producer, writer, and director. The film has divided audiences, but Sriram’s commitment to the project is undeniable, earning her recognition for her bold, whimsical aesthetic and multifaceted contribution to the film.
Film & TV
Together
TOGETHER, a darkly hilarious body-horror film starring Dave Franco and Alison Brie showed at midnight on the first night of the festival. Despite the late hour, fans eagerly gathered for this experience, with the film blending horror and comedy in a way that kept the audience engaged from start to finish. The film’s interactive PR campaign, featuring missing person posters, suspicious water bottles, and handy lubricant, had audiences buzzing long after the 2am Q&A session.
Another Simple Favor
Fans were abuzz leading up to the red-carpet event for ANOTHING SIMPLE FAVOR, the sequel to 2018’s hit A Simple Favor, both directed by Paul Feig. Rumors of behind-the-scenes drama between the film’s leads, Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively, only added to the anticipation, making this one of the most talked-about red carpets of the festival.
Death of a Unicorn
A dark comedy-horror starring Jenna Ortega, Paul Rudd, Tea Leoni, and Will Poulter, DEATH OF A UNICORN left audiences talking after its premiere. While reviews have been mixed, the excitement in the room was palpable during the Q&A at the Paramount Theater, where the star-studded cast had the audience captivated somewhat more than the film itself.
The Accountant 2
Nearly a decade after the original, THE ACCOUNTANT 2 brings Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal back for a high-octane crime thriller. The sequel promises more of the tense, action-packed drama that made the first film a hit. Both Affleck and Bernthal were in attendance, and longtime friend Matt Damon showed up to support the film, making the premiere even more of a celebrity affair.
Drop
DROP had everyone talking, with fans lining up for its world premiere. This whodunnit thriller, starring Meghann Fahy and Brandon Sklenar, had audiences on the edge of their seats. The film even had a photo-op set up, allowing fans to snap pictures of themselves in the skyscraper drop scene.
Friendship
FRIENDSHIP, a riot of a comedy starring Paul Rudd, Tim Robinson and Kate Mara, was a crowd favorite at the festival, receiving a wave of 5-star reviews. This is the second time both actors, Paul Rudd and Kate Mara, appeared at SXSW with other films simultaneously premiering. The hype for FRIENDSHIP has people eager for its May 9th release.
Ash
Flying Lotus, the talented DJ and record producer, made his directorial debut with ASH, a sci-fi horror film overtly inspired by his passion for video games. Starring Eiza González in her first lead role and Aaron Paul, ASH stirred conversation with its ambition. However, while the film showcased Flying Lotus’s distinct visual style and incredible music, it remains to be seen whether filmmaking is his true calling.
Clown in a Cornfield
Based on the popular horror novel, CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD features a terrifyingly memorable antagonist, Friendo, who had fans shivering in their seats as he walked the theater isles. With a fantastic performance by Katie Douglas and supporting roles from Aaron Abrams and Kevin Durand, the film kept audiences captivated with both fear and laughter. The book’s author, Adam Cesare, was also in attendance, taking part in the excitement of the premier’s Q&A.
The Studio
THE STUDIO, a pilot episode for a new series starring Seth Rogen, Catherine O’Hara, and Kathryn Hahn, explores the challenges faced by a legacy Hollywood film studio. Although television didn’t take center stage at this year’s festival, THE STUDIO generated significant buzz, with long lines of festival-goers eager to catch a glimpse of the promising new series.
Panels & Keynote Speakers
The Last of Us (Cast Panel)
With season 2 of THE LAST OF US set to premiere on April 13th, the cast panel had fans at SXSW beyond excited. Show creators Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin were joined by stars Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, Kaitlyn Dever, Young Mazino, and Isabela Merced, as they previewed the upcoming season with an exclusive trailer. The panel was one of the festival’s most anticipated events, and the excitement was palpable. Audiences were in awe of the obvious love the two show leads (Pascal and Ramsey) have for one another.
Kevin Bacon (Speaker)
The legendary Kevin Bacon kicked off the festival with a lively panel discussing his long career in film and his upcoming project, THE BONDSMAN. True to form, Bacon was seen throughout the festival, even letting loose with a scream in Blumhouse’s popular scream box.
Issa Rae (Speaker)
Issa Rae captivated audiences with her panel on SEEN & HEARD, her new documentary focused on the importance of African-American representation in film and television. The film features iconic figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Shonda Rhimes, and Tyler Perry, and Rae’s discussion underscored the importance of diverse representation both on and off the screen.
Attractions
Blumhouse – Screambox
Blumhouse’s Screambox booth was a festival favorite, allowing attendees to test their best screams in a noise-cancelling booth. Each scream was measured for decibels, with prizes awarded daily. Could SXSW 2025 be where the next scream queen is found?
FX Network – Alien: Earth
FX’s immersive Alien: Earth experience was another highlight, with festival-goers stepping into a thrilling alien-themed installation. As they explored a shipwreck with hazmat-suited actors, fans encountered an alien containment breach and got up close with otherworldly specimens. Exclusive merchandise and photo ops made this a truly out-of-this-world experience.
SXSW 2025 was once again a celebration of the diverse and ever-evolving world of entertainment. With groundbreaking films, star-studded panels, and unforgettable attractions, the festival proved that the future of film, television, and interactive media is bright. Here’s to next year’s festival, where new creative visions and the next wave of talent will continue to shape the industry.
