Kentucky's 'Cornbread Mafia' Documentary to Premiere at SXSW Film Festival

The true story of the largest domestic marijuana syndicate in U.S. history comes to the big screen.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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A new documentary, "Cornbread Mafia," about Kentucky's largest homegrown marijuana syndicate, will make its world premiere at the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival in Austin, Texas. Directed by Louisville native Evan Mascagni and produced by Merry-Kay Poe of Unbridled Films, the film blends true crime and humor to tell the story of the Cornbread Mafia, a group of Kentucky farmers who built the largest domestic marijuana operation in U.S. history.

Why it matters

The Cornbread Mafia story is a unique piece of Kentucky folklore, highlighting the state's history of tobacco farming, moonshining, and the war on drugs. The documentary's premiere at the prestigious SXSW festival brings national attention to the Kentucky film industry and showcases the state's rich cultural heritage.

The details

"Cornbread Mafia" tells the true story of the Cornbread Mafia, a group of Kentucky farmers who were all sons of tobacco farmers, moonshiners, and bootleggers. They built the largest domestic marijuana syndicate in U.S. history, with a code of silence that baffled prosecutors. The film features elements of true crime and cartoon-like humor to bring the story to life.

  • The 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival will run from March 12-18, 2026.
  • "Cornbread Mafia" is scheduled to screen three times at SXSW on March 12, 16, and 18, 2026.

The players

Evan Mascagni

The director of "Cornbread Mafia" and a native of Louisville, Kentucky.

Merry-Kay Poe

The CEO of Unbridled Films and the producer of "Cornbread Mafia".

Johnny Boone

The charismatic leader of the Cornbread Mafia, known as the "Godfather of Grass". Boone died in 2024.

Joe Keith Bickett

A living member of the Cornbread Mafia who will attend the SXSW film premiere and sit on a panel.

Jimmy Bickett

A living member of the Cornbread Mafia who will attend the SXSW film premiere and sit on a panel.

Bobby Joe Shewmaker

A living member of the Cornbread Mafia who will attend the SXSW film premiere and sit on a panel.

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What they’re saying

“This is a true Kentucky grown story and we are really excited and honored to have the film included in the lineup at the 2026 SXSW. This is the second largest film festival in the country after Sundance so it's a big deal for the project and the Kentucky film industry.”

— Merry-Kay Poe, CEO of Unbridled Films (Courier Journal)

What’s next

After "Cornbread Mafia" screens at the SXSW Festival, the plan is to sell the documentary to a streaming service and potentially create a scripted series based on the story.

The takeaway

The premiere of "Cornbread Mafia" at the prestigious SXSW Film Festival shines a national spotlight on Kentucky's rich cultural heritage and the state's thriving film industry. The documentary's blend of true crime and humor offers a unique perspective on the war on drugs and the enduring legacy of the Cornbread Mafia.