First-Ever P.E.I. Film 'The Snake' Premieres at SXSW

Director Jenna MacMillan brings a raw, authentic look at Charlottetown to the acclaimed festival

Mar. 14, 2026 at 2:44am

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History was made when the film "The Snake" premiered at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, becoming the first movie from Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) to do so. Directed by Jenna MacMillan and starring beloved Canadian actors like Susan Kent, Jonathan Torrens, and Drag Race icon Jimbo, the film offers a gritty, unglamorous portrait of life in Charlottetown, moving away from the island's typical postcard beauty.

Why it matters

As the first P.E.I. film to screen at SXSW, "The Snake" represents an important milestone for the province's burgeoning film industry. By depicting the less picturesque side of Charlottetown, the movie provides a raw, authentic look at the lives of "ungovernable women" that has been missing from previous portrayals of the island.

The details

Directed by first-time feature filmmaker Jenna MacMillan, "The Snake" follows the story of Jamie, a woman struggling with a volatile relationship with her mother, played by Robin Duke, and trying to cope with being evicted from her late grandmother's home. MacMillan was intentional about not showing the island's famous waterfront, instead focusing on the everyday lives of Charlottetown's residents. The film features a talented ensemble cast that also includes Jonathan Torrens, Emma Hunter, and Drag Race star Jimbo.

  • The Snake premiered at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas on March 14, 2026.
  • The film will have additional screenings at SXSW on March 16 and March 18, 2026.

The players

Jenna MacMillan

The director of "The Snake" and a first-time feature filmmaker who previously worked as a producer.

Susan Kent

A beloved Canadian actress who stars in "The Snake" and also wrote the screenplay.

Robin Duke

A Canadian actress who plays the volatile mother of the film's protagonist, Jamie.

Jimbo

A Canadian drag performer and Drag Race icon who appears in "The Snake".

Jonathan Torrens

A Canadian actor known for his comedic roles who stars in "The Snake".

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What they’re saying

“It fills me with so much joy to see the streets I grew up on, and to see Charlottetown and P.E.I. in this light, and to bring it to a festival like this. It truly means the world to me.”

— Jenna MacMillan, Director of "The Snake" (Yahoo Canada)

“Something that was really hard for me was not to show the water earlier. ... The water is gorgeous, and it's only that one shot. It's a very landlocked movie. ... I just sort of tried to capture my day-to-day of how I see Charlottetown, and that it is beautiful, but there's also an ugliness to it.”

— Jenna MacMillan, Director of "The Snake" (Yahoo Canada)

What’s next

The Snake will have additional screenings at the SXSW festival on March 16 and March 18, 2026.

The takeaway

By eschewing the typical postcard imagery of Prince Edward Island, The Snake provides a refreshingly raw and authentic depiction of life in Charlottetown, showcasing the struggles of "ungovernable women" that have been missing from previous portrayals of the province. As the first P.E.I. film to premiere at the prestigious SXSW festival, the movie represents an important milestone for the island's growing film industry.