""I don't know if it's that there were more comedies being made or people have started to realize that SXSW is a festival that really celebrates and can launch comedies. So, we really sparked a lot of them this year. They have a lot of dark sense of humor, a lot of ways to accept the sort of harsh world around us and still find light in it. I think that's in a lot of the films that we're playing.""
""And as always, I think that we have a really great sense of discovery, particularly this year, a lot of first-time filmmakers, a lot of filmmakers that are making movies that have that sort of intangible SXSW quality where you just know it when you see it. It's this sort of risk-taking in a lot of ways that I think really resonates with us.""
SXSW blends 'film' and 'movies,' creating an eclectic festival identity that accommodates arthouse debuts, studio blockbusters, and midnight films without contradiction. The 2026 lineup arrived in multiple waves, featuring opening night selections Boots Riley's "I Love Boosters" and David E. Kelley's "Margo's Got Money Troubles," plus numerous first-time filmmakers. The lineup is notably strong on comedy, emphasizing dark humor and films that find light amid harsh realities. The festival emphasizes discovery, risk-taking, and an intangible SXSW quality. Programming prioritizes unique films that demonstrate clear authorial voices and authenticity.
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