Australian Filmmakers Shine at SXSW: Amy Wang’s ‘Slanted’ Takes Grand Jury Prize, Leela Varghese Wins Special Jury Award

Austin, Texas – In a night of cinematic triumph at the SXSW 2025 Film & TV Jury and Special Awards, Chinese-Australian director Amy Wang and South Australia’s up-and-comer Leela Varghese captured top honors, underscoring their burgeoning influence in the global film industry. Wang clinched the Grand Jury Prize in the narrative feature competition with “Slanted,” her brilliantly crafted sci-fi dramedy. The film follows the emotionally charged journey of a high school senior, played by Shirley Chen, who undergoes a radical procedure to transform her racial identity, aiming to clinch the title of Prom Queen. As … Read more

‘Unexpected Dance’ Triumphs at SXSW: A Stunning Collusion of Tech and Human Insight by Ting-Tong Chang and Blast Theory

Austin, Texas – At the recent South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, a noteworthy collaboration between artist Ting-Tong Chang and the UK-based interactive media group Blast Theory claimed the Special Jury Award. Their project, titled “Unexpected Dance,” elegantly explores the complex relationship between technology and human behavior, bridging the gap between art and science in an innovative display. The award highlights “Unexpected Dance” for its creative approach to integrating technology with live performance, shedding light on the evolving interaction between humans and digital interfaces. The project utilizes motion sensors and real-time data processing to create a … Read more

“Slanted” and “Shuffle” Lead Triumphs at the 32nd SXSW Film & TV Festival: A Celebration of Bold Storytelling and Cinematic Excellence

Austin, Texas — The 32nd SXSW Film & TV Festival, held in vibrant Austin, wrapped up its 2025 session with an electrifying array of winners in diverse categories ranging from Narrative Features to Music Videos. At the heart of this year’s festival was a collection of films and TV shows that deftly mirrored the complexities of human experiences, pushing creative boundaries and drawing accolades for their innovation and emotional depth. A stand-out at the festival was the Narrative Feature Competition, supported by Kickstarter. The top prize was snagged by Amy Wang for her directorial work … Read more

“Slanted” Clinches Grand Jury Prize at SXSW 2025, Delves Deep into Racial Identity with a Transformative Tale

Austin, Texas – The 2025 SXSW Film and TV Festival’s grand jury awarded its top narrative prize to “Slanted,” a provocative film directed by Amy Wang. This year’s festival held in Austin highlighted groundbreaking works that push cinematic boundaries, but it was “Slanted” that caught the jury’s eye for its daring exploration of race and identity through a satirical lens. “Slanted” delves into the life of Joan Huang, a high school senior who participates in an experimental procedure to change her race as part of a desperate bid to fit in and clinch the title … Read more