Austin, Texas — Fans from around the globe converged upon the vibrant cityscape of Austin, marking another successful run of the SXSW Film & TV Festival, held from March 7-15. This year, attendees not only indulged in an array of cinematic and television experiences but also played a crucial role in selecting winners for the much-anticipated Audience Awards. This year’s event showcased an impressive lineup that included 114 feature films along with several premieres across various categories.
Following closely after the Jury and Special Awards, the Audience Awards offered attendees the opportunity to voice their preferences, with voting results verified by Maxwell Locke & Ritter LLP, ensuring the integrity of the awards. Across an eclectic mix, the event displayed a range of narratives from 93 world premieres to more experimental formats in the XR Experience Program, boasting 31 innovative projects.
Claudette Godfrey, VP of Film & TV at SXSW, expressed gratitude towards filmmakers, audiences, and volunteers for contributing to the festival’s uniqueness. She highlighted the festival’s eclectic programming which brings independently produced narratives, documentaries, and TV series to the forefront alongside major studio productions and TV shows, fostering a diverse cinematic community.
Headliner film “The Accountant 2,” directed by Gavin O’Connor and backed by a production team including Ben Affleck, emerged as an Audience Award winner, demonstrating its strong reception. In the narrative feature competition, “Fantasy Life” took home an award, directed and written by Matthew Shear and supported by a robust production team including Amanda Peet and David Bernon.
In the realm of documentaries, “Remaining Native” directed by Paige Bethmann secured an award, providing a poignant cinematic experience on indigenous cultures. Additionally, the spotlight category saw “The Baltimorons” by Jay Duplass, receiving acclaim for its compelling narrative crafted by a team including both Jay and Mark Duplass.
The ‘Midnighters’ section favored the thrilling “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie,” helmed by Matt Johnson, which captured the attention of the night-owls. Meanwhile, the Global category, presented by MUBI, celebrated “Corina” directed by Urzula Barba Hopfner, which provided an impactful cultural narrative.
Noteworthy among the music themed categories was “Selena y Los Dinos,” directed by Isabel Castro, painting a vivid picture of the iconic Tejano singer’s life and legacy. Alongside narrative successes, the festival also spotlit effective short films such as “Ben’s Sister” by Emma Weinswig in the Narrative Short Competition, and “Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud” in Documentary Short Competition.
The TV and XR sections were not left behind, with “Spy High” and “Face Jumping” winning in their respective categories, showcasing innovative storytelling and technological advances in entertainment.
SXSW is recognized as a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards® Short Film competition, affirming its role in shaping future Oscar contenders. Moreover, all British shorts screened here may be nominated for BAFTA, and certain films qualify for the Independent Spirit Awards.
As SXSW continues to foster a nurturing environment for both established and emerging filmmakers, the Audience Awards are a testament to the participatory spirit that makes the festival a cornerstone of cultural and cinematic discussion. Congratulations to all winners who left a mark on audiences this year.
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