Organizers for the South by Southwest film festival have officially rolled out the initial lineup for SXSW 2016, boasting 137 features and no less than 89 world premieres across 12 sections.
Those include the star-studded Headliners, Narrative Feature Competition, Documentary Feature Competition and Midnighters among many others, and today’s comprehensive breakdown gives budding attendees the opportunity to pinpoint exactly which films deserve a place on their radar.
Among those premieres include Jean-Marc Vallee’s domestic drama Demolition, while Jeff Nichols’ starry sci-fi Midnight Special continues to draw our attention – with a cast that includes Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver and Jaeden Lieberher, can you really blame us? Richard Linklater’s Everybody Wants Some, meanwhile, opens the festival on March 11, where it will run through until March 19.
For the full comprehensive breakdown, check out the official site for SXSW 2016. For now, we’ve included the rundown for Narrative Feature Competition, Documentary Feature Competition and Headliners.
First up, the latter:
Demolition
Director: Jean-Marc Vallee, Screenwriter: Bryan Sipe
Davis (Jake Gyllenhaal), a successful investment banker, struggles after losing his wife in a tragic car crash. Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Naomi Watts, Chris Cooper, Judah Lewis (North American Premiere)Don’t Think Twice
Director/Screenwriter: Mike Birbiglia
An improv group loses the lease on their home theater at the same time that one of their cast members gets chosen for the biggest sketch comedy show on TV. Cast: Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Mike Birbiglia, Kate Micucci, Tami Sagher, Chris Gethard (World Premiere)Everybody Wants Some
Director/Screenwriter: Richard Linklater
In Richard Linklater’s anticipated “spiritual sequel” to Dazed and Confused, a group of college friends navigate their way through the freedoms and responsibilities of the wild final weekend of the summer of 1980. Cast: Will Brittain, Zoey Deutch, Ryan Guzman, Tyler Hoechlin, Blake Jenner, J. Quinton Johnson, Glen Powell, Wyatt Russell (World Premiere)
* SXsports screeningHardcore Henry (Russian Federation)
Director/Screenwriter: Ilya Naishuller
An unflinchingly original, first-person action film where YOU are the main character, Henry. Resurrected from death with no memory by your wife, your mission is find her, solve the mystery of your existence and discover the truth behind your identity. Cast: Sharlto Copley, Danila Kozlovsky, Haley Bennett, Andrey Dementyev, Dasha Charusha, Sveta Ustinova (U.S. Premiere)In A Valley of Violence
Director/Screenwriter: Ti West
From Blumhouse, the film tells the story of a drifter named Paul who arrives in a small town, seeking revenge on the thugs who murdered his friend. Sisters Mary Anne and Ellen who run the town’s hotel, help Paul in his quest for vengeance. Cast: Ethan Hawke, Taissa Farmiga, James Ransone, Karen Gillan, John Travolta (World Premiere)Midnight Special
Director/Screenwriter: Jeff Nichols
A father goes on the run to protect his young son and uncover the truth behind the boy’s special powers in writer/director Jeff Nichols’ sci-fi thriller Midnight Special, a film as supernatural as it is intimately human. Cast: Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver, Jaeden Lieberher, Sam Shepard (North American Premiere)Pee-wee’s Big Holiday
Director: John Lee, Screenwriters: Paul Reubens, Paul Rust
In Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, a fateful meeting with a mysterious stranger inspires Pee-wee Herman to take his first-ever holiday in this epic story of friendship and destiny. Cast: Paul Reubens, Joe Manganiello, Jessica Pohly, Alia Shawkat, Stephanie Beatriz (World Premiere)Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru
Director: Joe Berlinger
Granted unprecedented access, Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru captures renowned life and business strategist Tony Robbins behind the scenes of his mega seminar Date with Destiny, pulling back the curtain on this life-altering and controversial event. (World Premiere)