Avengers 2 helmer Joss Whedon and actors Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Nathan Fillion, and Clark Gregg will host a discussion at SXSW following the U.S. premiere of their Much Ado About Nothing, the fest revealed today. Also joining previously announced panelists Carlton Cuse (presenting a look at A&E’s Bates Motel) and Matthew McConaughey in the Film Conference sidebar are Harmony Korine and the Spring Breakers cast; Danny Boyle, who will tease his April release Trance; and Rob Zombie (Lords Of Salem). Fox Searchlight’s anarchist drama The East, from Zal Batmanglij and Brit Marling, will close the fest which runs March 8-16 in Austin. Fifteen additional features have been added to the line-up including Stevie Nicks’ self-directed (with the Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart) documentary In Your Dreams – Stevie Nicks, James Ponsoldt’s Sundance favorite The Spectacular Now, and the iPhone short A Year In The Life Of Wayne’s Phone directed by The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne. Here are new Film Conference and Film Festival additions unveiled today:
Much Ado About Much Ado
Directly following the SXSW U.S. Premiere of Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing in the Vimeo Theatre, join cast members Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Nathan Fillion, Clark Gregg, and the director himself as they discuss the unconventional process of shooting the film in 12(!) days and the challenges and excitement of bringing Shakespeare to the screen for a modern audience.
(Saturday March 9 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM — Vimeo Theatre, Austin Convention Center)A Conversation with Rob Zombie
An auteur filmmaker with unlimited vision, join Rob Zombie in Conversation about how he has established a unique voice that has gained him unparalleled recognition across the mediums of film, music and publishing.
(Tuesday March 12 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM — Room 16AB, Austin Convention Center)A Conversation with Danny Boyle
Join Danny Boyle in a thought-provoking discussion about his groundbreaking work in film production and how he brings his unique vision to audiences around the world. As part of the conversation, Boyle will present footage from his upcoming release Trance.
(Saturday March 9 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Vimeo Theatre, Austin Convention Center)Break it Down: Harmony Korine & His Spring Breakers
From visionary director Harmony Korine, comes a bold new vision of the seasonal American ritual known as spring break. Korine, joined by his cast, will discuss what it was to film amidst real-life revelers and create one of the most unique cinematic experiences in years.
(Monday March 11 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM — Vimeo Theatre, Austin Convention Center)JASH: A Comedy Platform with Full Creative Autonomy (Convergence Session)
Sarah Silverman, Tim & Eric, Michael Cera, and Reggie Watts discuss working with the YouTube platform and the artistic freedom that comes with this new frontier.
(Sunday March 10 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM — Dell Hall, Long Center)State Of Creative Independence
Kickstarter Co-Founder and Head of Community Yancey Strickler leads a conversation on the state of creativity: what brought us here, and where will we go next.
(Monday March 11 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM — Room 16AB, Austin Convention Center)Vimeo Presents: It’s Such A Beautiful Day by Don Hertzfeldt + SPECIAL VIMEO ANNOUNCEMENT
Vimeo is thrilled to present the newly remastered and expanded version of It’s Such A Beautiful Day, which brings together the entire tragicomic story of a troubled man named Bill by Academy Award-nominated animator and self-distribution pioneer Don Hertzfeldt. Following the screening, join Don and the Vimeo Staff for a discussion of what it means to be both a filmmaker and your own distributor. Vimeo will also make a very special announcement, so make sure you stay until the end!
(Tuesday March 12 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM — Vimeo Theatre, Austin Convention Center)ADDITIONAL FILMS
HEADLINERSThe East
Director: Zal Batmanglij, Screenwriters: Zal Batmanglij, Brit Marling
An operative for a private intelligence firm goes undercover to infiltrate a mysterious anarchist collective attacking major corporations. Bent on apprehending these fugitives, her loyalty is tested as her feelings grow for their charismatic leader. Cast: Brit Marling, Alexander Skarsgård, Ellen Page, Toby Kebbell, Shiloh Fernandez, Julia Ormond, Patricia ClarksonDOCUMENTARY SPOTLIGHT
Fall and Winter
Director: Matt Anderson
Fall And Winter is a voyage into the heart of our global crisis. Epic and stunningly photographed, the film draws on past wisdom and uncovers new, ingenious strategies for the future. It is a psycho-spiritual survival guide for the 21st century. (World Premiere)
Xmas Without China
Director: Alicia Dwyer
A documentary comedy about serious issues we have with our stuff, Xmas Without China follows Chinese immigrant Tom Xia as he challenges his American neighbors to survive the Christmas season without any Chinese products. (World Premiere)24 BEATS PER SECOND
Bayou Maharajah: The Tragic Genius of James Booker
Director: Lily Keber
Bayou Maharajah: The Tragic Genius of James Booker explores the life, times and music of James Booker, the legendary New Orleans performer who Dr. John proclaimed “the best black, gay, one-eyed junkie piano genius New Orleans has ever produced.” (World Premiere)GIMME THE POWER
Director: Olallo Rubio
A rockumentary about the Mexican band Molotov and the political, social and financial context where the band was born and developed.The Great Hip Hop Hoax (UK)
Director: Jeanie Finlay
Californian hip-hop duo Silibil n’ Brains were going to be massive. No one knew the pair were really Scottish, with fake American accents and made up identities. A film about truth, lies and the legacy of faking everything in the pursuit of fame. (World Premiere)In Your Dreams – Stevie Nicks
Directors: Stevie Nicks, Dave Stewart
In 2010 Stevie Nicks embarked on the recording of a new solo album, In Your Dreams, produced by former Eurythmics mastermind Dave Stewart. With cameras in tow, the two set up shop in her home studio to reveal their collaborative creative process.Muscle Shoals
Director: Greg ‘Freddy’ Camalier
Located alongside the Tennessee River, Muscle Shoals became the unlikely breeding ground for some of America’s most creative and defiant music inspiring and luring artists as diverse as Keith Richards and Alicia Keys.Pete and Toshi got a Camera
Director: William Eigen
In 1963, blacklisted by the McCarthy hearings and under surveillance by the FBI, Pete Seeger buys a movie camera and takes his family on an adventure of a lifetime, filming gifted musicians in exotic locations around the world. (World Premiere)FESTIVAL FAVORITES
At Any Price
Director: Ramin Bahrani, Screenwriters: Hallie Elizabeth Newton, Ramin Bahrani
In the competitive world of modern agriculture, ambitious Henry Whipple (Dennis Quaid) wants his rebellious son Dean (Zac Efron) to help expand his family’s farming empire. However, Dean has his sights set on becoming a professional race car driver. When a high-stakes investigation into their business is exposed, father and son are pushed into an unexpected crisis that threatens the family’s entire livelihood.
Cast: Dennis Quaid, Zac Efron, Kim Dickens, Heather Graham, Clancy Brown, Chelchie Ross, Maika Monroe, Red West, Ben Marten, Dan WallerThe Crash Reel
Director: Lucy Walker
The dramatic story of one unforgettable athlete, Kevin Pearce; one eye-popping sport, snowboarding; and one explosive issue, Traumatic Brain Injury. A comeback story with a difference.Linsanity
Director: Evan Jackson Leong
Jeremy Lin came from a humble background to make an unbelievable run in the NBA. State high school champion, all-Ivy League at Harvard, undrafted by the NBA and unwanted there: his story started long before he landed on Broadway.Pussy Riot – A Punk Prayer (UK)
Directors: Mike Lerner, Maxim Pozdorovkin
Three young women face seven years in a Russian prison for a satirical performance in a Moscow cathedral. But who is really on trial in a case that has gripped the nation and the world beyond, three young artists or the society they live in?The Spectacular Now
Director: James Ponsoldt, Screenwriters: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber
A high school romance between an alcoholic, party boy and a more reserved, shy, girl.
Cast: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kyle ChandlerSPECIAL EVENTS
Asleep at the Wheel Then and Now (Short)
Director: Dan Karlok
Ray Benson’s whirlwind romp through the four-decade history of the post-modern kings of western swing.Mabon “Teenie” Hodges – A Portrait of a Memphis Soul Original (Short)
Director: Susanna Vapnek
You may know such famous songs as “Take Me To The River” and “Love and Happiness”, but you probably do not know Mabon “Teenie” Hodges – the legendary Memphis guitarist who co-wrote these songs with Al Green. (World Premiere)A Year in the Life of Wayne’s Phone
Director: Wayne Coyne
Compiled from over 28 hours of personal videos shot by The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne on his iPhone, A Year In The Life Of Wayne’s Phone, is the world’s first vertical iPhone movie. (World Premiere)FILM CONFERENCE LINEUP BY DAY:
(Moderators listed in parentheses)Friday March 8
A Beginner’s Guide to SXSW Film (Agnes Varnum, The Texas Tribune)
An Insider’s Preview to the SXSW Film Festival (Dave Karger, Fandango)Saturday March 9
After Effects: Festivals & Your Film’s Future (Aaron Hillis, Video Free Brooklyn)
A Conversation with Danny Boyle
Business of Film: Int’l Distribution & Sales (Andy Whittaker, dogwoof)
Changing Rules for Women and Sex on TV (Alyssa Rosenberg, ThinkProgress)
Determining Where to Produce Your Film (Ginger Sledge, Zenzero)
Digital Marketing Law for Filmmakers (Anne Moebes, Law Office of Anne Moebes)
DIY: How Crowdsourcing Has Saved Independent Film (Dan Parnes, TUGG)
The Future of Film Distribution (Keith Calder, Snoot Entertainment)
Mentors: Funding / Financing
Mentors: Legal
Mentors: Publicity
Mentors: Sales and Acquisitions
Much Ado About Much Ado
New Grass Roots: Digital Age Movie Marketing (Krista Smith, Vanity Fair)
Not So Short Story: Short Form to Feature (Neil Miller, Film School Rejects)
Online Marketplaces: What Filmmakers Need To Know (Marc Schiller, BOND Strategy & Influence)
Reality Bites: Surviving the Film Biz in Your 20s (Sara Kiener, Film Presence)
Studio + Independent Producing (Lisa Muskat, Prince Avalanche)
*Plus Convergence, Come & Capture Film Factory and Digital Domain programmingSunday March 10
A Conversation with Matthew McConaughey
Jeffrey Tambor’s Acting Workshop
The Future of TV Coverage in the Post-Recap World (Dan Kois, Slate)
Mentors: Digital Media
Mentors: International
Mentors: Programming: Documentary
Mentors: Programming: Narrative
SXSW Presents: The New York Times’s Op-Docs (Jason Spingarn-Koff, New York Times)
This Panel is Not Yet Rated
*Plus Startup Alley, Convergence, Come & Capture Film Factory and Digital Domain programmingMonday March 11
Animation Evolution: Bringing Story to Life
Bates Motel: Story to Screen with Carlton Cuse (Guy Slattery, A&E)
Break it Down: Harmony Korine & his Spring Breakers
Case Study: Vagina Puppets and Fair Use (Lucas Leyva, Borscht Corporation)
Color Story: Adding Character in Post (Parke Gregg, Stuck On On)
Dangerous Docs! When the Subject Bites Back (Patricia Aufderheide, Documentary)
Film Critics vs. The World (Eric Kohn, Indiewire)
Filmmaking as User Experience Design (Jason Brush, Possible Worldwide)
Finding the Dough: Navigating the Digital Market (Richard Lorber, Kino Lorber Inc)
Humanizing Heroes: Storytelling Beyond Sports (Michael Hogan, The Huffington Post)
The Life of a Trailer (Evelyn Brady, Golden Trailer Awards)
Mentors: Distribution: Documentary
Mentors: Distribution: Narrative
Mentors: Filmmakers: Documentary
Mentors: Filmmakers: Narrative
Spotlight: Lighting in Film
State Of Creative Independence (Yancey Strickler, Kickstarter)
Sustaining a Career in Indie Film (Megan Gilbride, The Bounceback)
Visual Conversation: Being at The Center of Social (Mark Borden, CBSinteractive)
*Plus Convergence, Come & Capture Film Factory and Digital Domain programmingTuesday March 12
Acquisitions: Digital Age Evolution (Bret Berg, Cinefamily)
Actors: Create Your Brand & Corner Your Market! (Caroline O’Connor, Screen Actors Guild Foundation)
A Conversation with Rob Zombie
Democratization of Content, Check. So What’s Next? (Bill Rosenblatt, Giantsteps Media Technology Strategies)
Mentors: Artist Development
Mentors: Press & Bloggers
Mentors: Producers / Production 1
Mentors: Producers / Production 2
Music as Financing for Independent Film
Outside In: Challenges of Transnational Filmmaking
Post-Production: Sound Off! (Chris Keyland, Keyland Sound)
The Power of Film (To Change the World) (Turk Pipkin, The Nobelity Project)
Representation Workshop
Songs In Your Head: Randall Poster Master Class (Randall Poster, Search Party Music)
Tour Your Film Like A Band: Micro & Self Distribution (Hadrian Belove, Cinefamily)
Using Archival & Found Footage in Film (Elizabeth Hansen, Texas Archive of the Moving Image)
Vimeo Presents: It’s Such A Beautiful Day by Don Hertzfeldt + SPECIAL VIMEO ANNOUNCEMENT
CLE Sessions:
Crowdfunding 2.0 – The Game Changer
Fair Use: Now More than Ever
*Plus Convergence, Come & Capture Film Factory and Digital Domain programmingCONVERGENCE SESSIONS (By venue)
The Long Center
Chuck Lorre: In Conversation with Neil Gaiman
Downloaded: The Digital Revolution
Forbes 30 Under 30: Meet Spotify’s Daniel Ek
JASH: A Comedy Platform with Full Creative Autonomy
Kim Dotcom Speaks! A Skype Panel
Shaq Goes Social: The Big Interview
Style Goes Viral: The Future of Fashion
18ABCD
#catvidfest: Is This the End of Art?
Comedy Tech: How Funny Stuff Shapes Our Future
A Conversation with Nick Cave
Death of the Couch Potato: The Future of Social TV
Designing for the Ears
Fast Food & Fact-Checking: Lessons from PolitiFact
Fresh Prince + Downton Abbey: A Perfect Engagement
From Coral Reefs to the Light Field: Making Waves
How to Rank Better in Google & Bing
How Tech Companies Should Pitch Hollywood
How TV & the Internet Are Converging on TMZ
How Twitter Has Changed How We Watch TV
iCritics: Showrunners Friends or Worst Enemies?
Mythbusting: Engineering a Viral Video
A Robot in Your Pocket: AI Powered Applications
Shooting, Producing, Selling: Secrets of Web TV
The Sports Tightrope: Balancing Your Content
Transitioning Alternative Comedy to TV
Version Controlling the News. How We Can Archive.MEET THE INSIDERS
An offshoot of our popular Mentors Program and new for 2013, Meet the Insiders is an opportunity to participate in vital discussions on the innovations and developments within the world of Film. Each hour-long session will feature two industry insiders: Moderators will start with a 10-minute Q&A, followed by 20 minutes of open discussion and questions with each. Connect with the film community, and gain insight and understanding of the industry from the insiders at the forefront of their respective fields.Saturday, March 9
Meet the Insiders: Film Festivals
Meet the Insiders: Film Distribution
Meet the Insiders: Producers
Meet the Insiders: Filmmaker ResourcesMonday, March 11
Meet the Insiders: Storytelling + Interactive
Meet the Insiders: Collaborative Platforms
Meet the Insiders: Casting for Film
Meet the Insiders: ScreenwritingTuesday, March 12
Meet the Insiders: Filmmakers: Narrative
Meet the Insiders: Filmmakers: Documentary
Meet the Insiders: Film Marketing
Meet the Insiders: Film FinancingSTARTUP ALLEY - Sunday March 10: 11:00AM – 6:00PM in the Austin Convention Center
Meet the entrepreneurs and investors shaping the future of the entertainment industry at SXSW Film’s Startup Alley. This new programming track features a day of engaging Sessions, intimate Meet the Insiders discussions, demos with trailblazing entertainment startups in the Launchpad, a Fastball Speed Pitch event and a networking Reception with complimentary refreshments to round out the day.Panels:
Starting Up: From Founding to Funding
Gain insights into founding and funding an entertainment startup from the CEO and cofounder of the indie film distributor and digital pioneer SnagFilms and its investors from NEA and Comcast Ventures.Funding Your Entertainment Startup: Secrets of Top Investors
Learn tips to getting investment from top VCs and angels with a record of funding entertainment companies like Flingo, Movieclips, Fanhattan, Tivli and Maker Studios.Next Gen Entertainment Entrepreneurs
Learn from the founders of VHX, Slated, Tugg and The Black List how their startups are disrupting traditional means of funding, creating, distributing, viewing and sharing content in the entertainment world.Inside Track with Roku’s Anthony Wood
Seven-time entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Roku, Anthony Wood, will share his experiences launching and helming a startup that has revolutionized the content viewing experience for millions of Americans.Meet the Insiders:
Meet the Insiders: Startup Alley Edition, Venture Capitalists
Meet the Insiders: Startup Alley Edition, Filmmaker Entrepreneurs
Meet the Insiders: Startup Alley Edition, Entertainment Tech MarketingEvents:
Startup Alley: Fastball Speed Pitches
Hosted by Huffington Post Live’s Jacob Soboroff, entertainment startups will have one-minute with the microphone to give their best elevator pitch to the tastemakers and investors at SXSW at this fast paced speed pitch event.
Sign up day-of from 12:30-3:00PM, in Startup Alley’s Launchpad (13AB).Startup Launchpad
Featuring exhibitor tables and demos from the most innovative startups in the business, the Launchpad is the place to discover the companies that will change the face of entertainment.
Room 13AB 12:30PM – 6:00PM.Reception
The culmination of Film Startup Alley, top entertainment entrepreneurs and techies will mix and mingle with investors over drinks at this casual, uniquely SXSW un-networking event.
Room 13AB 4:00PM – 6:00PM.COME & CAPTURE FILM FACTORY
The Come & Capture Film Factory allows participants to explore and interact with the newest tools for capturing and creating content. Located at the InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel, Saturday, March 10 – Tuesday, March 12, each day will feature panel discussions and workshops and round out with the opportunity for registrants to tinker with a pavilion of products.Panels:
Easy as 1, 2, 3: Point, Shoot and Share
With the increase in smartphone movie making and sharing content, this panel will discuss the best ways to use your smartphone and share your content as an amateur or professional filmmaker.The Social Video Race
Social video will pave the way for how a new generation of smart, phone toting-youth will view and share the world. Which service in the space has the best formula for success? Find out at SXSW Film’s Panel “Who Will Win the Social Video Race?”Changing Lives Through Collaborative Video Storytelling
Video is a powerful way to tell and share stories. Organizations around the globe are finding innovative ways to use collaborative video storytelling to make a difference in the world. In this session you’ll learn about specific tools and techniques for doing this on a small budget, with limited infrastructure.Innovation & Filmmaking: Capture & Shape Content
Join filmmakers, developers and equipment representatives as they discuss the future and changing landscape of filmmaking tools.Workshops:
Sony in 4K: Right Camera for the Right Project
With so many format and quality options, how do you know what the best path will be for your project? Is it 4K or HD? Learn about Sony’s highly-flexible camera lineup and how you won’t always have to choose because you can have BOTH.Finding Your Audience with Open Web Technologies
A discussion about the ways Open Web technologies and DIY marketing can help indie filmmakers retain more rights to their work while still reaching a mass audience, the tools for controlling the distribution and monetization of their projects, all the while simultaneously creating and enabling new forms of creativity. (LUNCH PROVIDED)DSLR’s & Beyond: Professional Filmmaking on the Go
Join the Bui Brothers as they dissect the pros and cons of DSLR’s and show the best ways to shoot on the go.Collaborative Filmmaking using Mobile Technology
Over 1 billion HD video phones connected through social networks could make for an explosion of collaborative filmmaking. Experience the technology making it all possible. (LUNCH PROVIDED!)Events:
Demo Pavilion each day from 2:00 – 6:00 PM featuring: Action Life Media, Blackmagic Design, Clinch, Digital Bolex, Equilibrium, Jumpercut, Mozilla Firefox, Olloclip, Takes, WeVideo
DIGITAL DOMAIN:
The Digital Domain was introduced in 2012 to address the exciting and unpredictable new directions taken by storytellers in a constantly mutating web environment. With an eye on the future, the section will explore web series, interactive documentaries, apps, rich media projects, data visualization and infographics, web generated content and many more possibilities.Saturday March 9
The MIT Open Documentary Lab (Sarah Wolozin, the MIT Open Documentary Lab)
Armed Response: Producing Action for the Web (Thomas Bannister, SXM)
Exploring Place with Cross-Platform Storytelling (Liz Nord, N/A)
Impossible Things on a Shoestring (Josh Ruben, Click 3x/J+V Films)Sunday March 10
The Future of Video; The Post Youtube Apocalypse (Maker Studios)
BBC Presents: Science of Storytelling (Matthew Danzico, BBC)
Creating Films for Computers (Vincent Morisset, AATOAA)
IDFA DocLab: Interactive Documentary Showcase (Caspar Sonnen, IDFA DocLab)Monday March 11
Wastelander Panda: Story Worlds & Online Strategy (Kirsty Stark, Epic Films)
Journey from Feature Film to Internet Fiction (Riina Zachariassen, Investigate North & Windelov/Lassen)
Shooting for Impact: Online Doc Shorts Now (Beth Levinson, Etsy)
The 94 Elements Project (Mike Paterson, PFILM)Tuesday March 12
Storytelling Devices in Interactive Documentary (Karen Kocher, UT Austin)
Visual Bites: Culinary & the Web (Christian Remde, Rightfrog Films)
How to build an Interactive Documentary (Ann Shin, Fathom Film Group)
The Playful Viewer: Gamification of a Documentary (Suvi Helmninen, Knapnok Games)
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