SXSW Film & TV Festival 2026 Kicks Off with Premieres and Parties

The 40th annual SXSW Conference & Festivals features red carpet events, high-profile premieres, and a diverse lineup of programming.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:48pm

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The 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival is underway in Austin, Texas, celebrating the convergence of tech, film, and music. The 33rd edition of the festival kicked off on March 12 with the World Premiere of NEON's "I Love Boosters" as the Opening Night Film, along with other high-profile premieres like Apple TV+'s "Margo's Got Money Troubles" and the film "Perfect." Throughout the week-long event, the festival will host a range of programming including Conference Keynotes, Featured Speakers, Narrative and Documentary Feature Competitions, and Music and Comedy Showcases.

Why it matters

SXSW has become one of the premier destinations for discovering new talent and celebrating the intersection of various creative industries. As the festival marks its 40th anniversary overall and 33rd year for the Film & TV portion, it continues to be an important platform for filmmakers, musicians, and innovators to showcase their work and connect with industry leaders and fans.

The details

The 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival kicked off on March 12 with the World Premiere of NEON's "I Love Boosters," the latest film from director Boots Riley. The film features an all-star cast including Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza Gonzalez, LaKeith Stanfield, Don Cheadle, and Demi Moore. Other high-profile premieres on opening night included "Perfect" starring Julia Fox, Lio Mehiel and Ashley Moore, and "Mile End Kicks" led by Barbie Ferreira. On the TV side, Apple TV+'s "Margo's Got Money Troubles" from Emmy-winning producer David E. Kelley also had its premiere.

  • The 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival runs from March 12-18.
  • The festival is celebrating its 40th year overall and the 33rd edition of the Film & TV Festival.

The players

SXSW

The annual SXSW Conference & Festivals is a major event that celebrates the convergence of the tech, film, and music industries, featuring a variety of programming formats and special events.

Boots Riley

The director of the film "I Love Boosters," which had its World Premiere as the Opening Night Film of the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival.

David E. Kelley

The Emmy-winning producer of the TV series "Margo's Got Money Troubles," which had its premiere at the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival.

Julia Fox

The actress who starred in the film "Perfect," which had its premiere at the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival.

Barbie Ferreira

The lead actress in the film "Mile End Kicks," which had its premiere at the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

SXSW continues to be a premier destination for discovering new talent and celebrating the convergence of tech, film, and music. This year's festival features a diverse lineup of high-profile premieres, panels, and events that showcase the breadth of creativity and innovation in these industries.