Why Watch That continues its virtual film festival coverage with SXSW.  SXSW Online includes keynotes, Conference sessions, Music Festival showcases, Film Festival screenings, world-class networking, and the unexpected discoveries that are always a part of SXSW.

SXSW is launching SXSW Online as part of our 2021 offerings. The digital experience will feature conference keynotes and sessions, screenings, showcases, networking, and exhibitions. The dates for SXSW EDU Online are March 9 – March 11, 2021 and SXSW Online will take place March 16 – March 20, 2021.

“The challenge of building a new future is one that we’re excited to tackle. This has been such a year of change and we, like the entire world, are reshaping our perspective on how we connect. We’re pleased to be working on SXSW Online as part of our program for 2021, and regardless of platform, we will continue to bring together the brightest minds from creative industries worldwide.” – Roland Swenson, CEO and Co-Founder

SXSW Online programming takes place in web, mobile, and Connected TV apps, XR environments, plus video networking and mentoring platforms. Content includes 24/7 streaming across five channels and on-demand Keynotes & Featured Sessions, Conference Sessions, Film Screenings, Music Showcases and Special Events. This is our first year covering this festival so we are excited to be able to share our thoughts and help you find content that you’ll love to watch. Stay tuned for our reviews. In the meantime, here is the full lineup. Below are a some of the highlights:

FEATURED OFFERINGS

Listed in order of scheduled premiere:

Made for Love

[Episodic Premieres]

Synopsis: Based on Alissa Nutting’s tragicomic novel, Made for Love is a dark, absurd and cynically poignant story of divorce and revenge following Hazel Green (Cristin Milioti), a thirty-something woman on the run after 10 years in a suffocating marriage.

Cast: Cristin Milioti, Billy Magnussen, Dan Bakkedahl, Noma Dumezweni, Augusto Aguilera, Caleb Foote, Ray Romano

Showrunner: Christina Lee

Director: Christina Lee

Runtime: 27 minutes

Premiere Status: World Premiere

#MadeForLove

Here Before

[Narrative Feature Competition]

Synopsis: After new neighbours move in next door, a bereaved mother begins to question her reality in this unsettling psychological thriller.

Cast: Andrea Riseborough, Martin McCann, Jonjo O’Neill, Eileen O’Higgins

Director: Stacey Gregg

Screenwriter: Stacey Gregg

Runtime: 83 minutes

Premiere Status: World Premiere

This film has not been rated. #HEREBEFORE

The Girlfriend Experience

[Episodic Premieres]

Synopsis: Set in the London tech scene, Iris, a neuroscience major, begins to explore the transactional world of The Girlfriend Experience and quickly learns that client sessions provide her with a compelling edge in the tech world.

Cast: Julia Goldani Telles, Oliver Masucci, Frank Dillane, Daniel Betts, Armin Karima, Tobi Bamtefa, Jemima Rooper

Showrunner: Anja Marquardt, Philip Fleishman

Director: Anja Marquardt

Executive Producer: Steven Soderbergh

Runtime: 60 minutes

Premiere Status: World Premiere

Language Lessons

[Narrative Spotlight]

Synopsis: A Spanish teacher and her student develop an unexpected friendship.

Cast: Natalie Morales, Mark Duplass, Desean Terry, Christine Quesada

Director: Natalie Morales

Screenwriter: Mark Duplass & Natalie Morales

Runtime: 91 minutes

Premiere Status: North American Premiere

This film has not been rated.

Twyla Moves

[Visions]

Synopsis: Interwoven with her storied career and prolific works, Twyla Moves sees legendary choreographer Twyla Tharp navigate her latest creative challenge: choreographing a dance for a world plagued by the Covid-19 pandemic. An American Masters documentary.

Cast: Twyla Tharp, Mikhail Baryshnikov, David Byrne, Billy Joel, Herman Cornejo, Jesse Huot, Misty Copeland

Director: Steven Cantor

Runtime: 82 minutes

Premiere Status: World Premiere

This film has not been rated.

The Fallout

[Narrative Feature Competition]

Synopsis: High schooler Vada navigates the emotional fallout she experiences in the wake of a school tragedy. Relationships with her family, friends and view of the world are forever altered.

Cast: Jenna Ortega, Maddie Ziegler, Niles Fitch, Will Ropp, Lumi Pollack, John Ortiz, Julie Bowen, Shailene Woodley

Director: Megan Park

Screenwriter: Megan Park

Runtime: 92 minutes

Premiere Status: World Premiere

This film has not been rated. #TheFallout

Cruel Summer

[Episodic Premieres]

Synopsis: From Exec Producer Jessica Biel, Freeform’s Cruel Summer is a psychological thriller taking place over three summers when a popular girl goes missing and an awkward outlier transforms to queen bee and eventually, the most despised person in America.

Cast: Olivia Holt, Michael Landes, Froy Gutierrez, Harley Quinn Smith, Allius Barnes, Blake Lee, Brooklyn Sudano

Showrunner: Tia Napolitano

Director: Tia Napolitano and Max Winkler

Executive Producer: Jessica Biel

Runtime: 45 minutes

Premiere Status: World Premiere

Violet

[2020 Spotlight]

Synopsis: A film development executive realizes that “guiding voice” inside her head has been lying to her about everything.

Cast: Olivia Munn, Luke Bracey, Justin Theroux

Director: Justine Bateman

Screenwriter: Justine Bateman

Runtime: 92 minutes

Premiere Status: World Premiere

This film has not been rated. #VIOLETthefilm

Them

[Episodic Premieres]

Synopsis: ‘Them’ is a limited anthology series that explores terror in America. 

Cast: Deborah Ayorinde, Ashley Thomas, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Melody Hurd, Alison Pill

Showrunner: Little Marvin

Director: Little Marvin and Nelson Cragg

Screenwriter: Little Marvin

Executive Producer: Little Marvin and Lena Waithe 

Co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon Studios

Runtime: 102 minutes

Premiere Status: World Premiere