SXSW 2021: Our 10 Most Anticipated Films as the Festival Goes Virtual in the Age of Covid


Get ready for SXSW. The festival, inaugurated in 1987, has been a must-stop for many a filmgoer, filmmaker, and movie critic. However, this year it, like other festivals, have to adjust for the times—particularly Covid times—as organizers plan to hold their festival virtually in the age of social distancing and precautions. 

The festival, which takes place online from March 16th-March 20th encompasses more than just film, stretching to include conferences, music, mentor sessions, keynotes, networking, creative industries, and comedy. SXSW is offering access to all of its programming in a single ‘SXSW Online Pass’ for $399. Group and student rates are also available. For more information on rates and purchasing, click here. 

You can also see the full lineup of festival offerings by following this link: Full Schedule. 

At The Movie Buff, this is our first year covering SXSW, and we’re pleased to bring readers festival coverage over the four-day run. Continuous, live festival coverage will be provided on our platform throughout the festival, including feature films, reviews of the short programs, documentaries, interviews, and more. 

Below are our top ten most anticipated films of the festival. Note: we have not watched the trailers for any of the listed movies. If you have any questions or comments, use the ‘contact us’ link at the top of our website. For more information about SXSW, visit online.sxsw.com. 

Important: We’ve noted the films’ premiere times, but they will be available on demand from their premiere times through Sunday, March 21 at 1:00 a.m. CST. 

Gryphon Magnus

‘Alien on Stage’ 

Perhaps the most peculiar documentary in the festival, “Alien on Stage” follows a group of amateur actors performing an on-stage adaptation of the hit sci-fi film “Alien.” It’s an interesting premise for sure, and I’m looking forward to seeing the comedic elements of this ridiculous true story. I’m always interested in seeing stories that I otherwise wouldn’t know or care for, and “Alien on Stage” fits into that category perfectly. “Alien on Stage” premieres as part of the ‘Documentary Spotlight’ grouping, and premieres Thursday, March 18th at 2 PM EST. 

‘The Fabulous Filipino Brothers’ 

“The Fabulous Filipino Brothers” follows four brothers as they go through their life of love, happiness, and shenanigans. It seems like one of the more lighthearted entries in the film festival, reminiscent of an Adam Sandler film with him and his buddies. Dante Basco is the director as well as the star, and I’m always interested to see something like that, as it’s something I would like to do one day. All in all, “The Fabulous Filipino Brothers” looks like a treat to watch. The film premieres Tuesday, March 16th at 6 PM EST as part of the ‘Narrative Spotlight’ grouping. 

‘How it Ends’ 

As my most anticipated film for SXSW, “How It Ends” is about a woman traveling through LA to get to the last party before the world ends. It has an absolutely phenomenal cast, including Fred Armisen, Lamorne Morris, Helen Hunt, Olivia Wilde, Nick Kroll, and more. It looks like a comedic treat, and I really can’t wait to watch it. 

While there are plenty more films at SXSW to enjoy, these five are the ones that I’m most looking forward to. “How it Ends” premieres Thursday, March 18th at 4 PM EST as part of the ‘Festival Favorites’ grouping.

Daniel Prinn 

‘Sasquatch’

I wanted to highlight some of the ‘Episodic Premieres’ at this year’s festival, where there are two premieres that will scratch the itch of true crime fans, including Hulu’s “Sasquatch” (as well as “Confronting a Serial Killer.”) For “Sasquatch,” a three-episode docuseries coming to Hulu in April, the story follows investigative journalist David Holthouse as he investigates a cold case from 25 years ago in the middle of pot country, California. The cold case in question gets a lot of its human interest angle from the fact that Holthouse remembers someone coming into a cabin to report a triple homicide to report they think Bigfoot is responsible. It’s a docuseries with twists and turns that will surprise viewers as it mixes Bigfoot and true crime. I’m excited for others to see it, as it has great talent behind the camera, too, with Joshua Rofé in the director’s chair as well as Mark and Jay Duplass as executive producers. “Sasquatch” World Premieres as part of the ‘Episodic Premieres’ grouping on Tuesday, March 16 at 11:00 AM EST.

‘Paul Dood’s Deadly Lunch Break’

Another anticipated title is Nick Gillespie’s “Paul Dood’s Deadly Lunch Break,” which is world premiering as a part of the ‘Narrative Spotlight’ grouping, follows the titular Paul Dood (Tom Meeten), a great character bedazzled in sequins who sets out to audition for a national talent show. However, he’s made late for his audition and he sets out to exact his revenge on these five people over one deadly lunch break. A mishmash of genres— dark comedy, action and thriller—“Paul Dood’s Deadly Lunch Break” blends great British humour with just a wacky premise that shines, and I’m hoping this film finds the right audience to become a cult favourite. The film premieres on Wednesday, March 17 at 5 PM EST.

‘Luchadoras’

Lately, I’ve been loving documentaries in general and the stories they have to offer. One such exciting documentary world premiering as part of the ‘Global Program’ is Paola Calvo and Patrick Jasim’s “Luchadoras,” from Mexico. It’s a story about a trio of female Mexican wrestlers —Luchadoras—within the dangerous city of Ciudad Juárez and how they go through their days as wrestlers while dealing with the struggles and dangers women face within the city. Equally fascinating as a social issues film as well as a sports documentary (the sport of Lucha Libre is so fun to watch), this film is one not to be missed, and will premiere at SXSW on Wednesday, March 17 at 1 PM EST. 

‘Witch Hunt’

I am a huge fan of genre films and while the slate of SXSW’s ‘Midnighters’ programme is so exciting (an eclectic mix of eight genre films), I decided to highlight Elle Callahan’s “Witch Hunt,” world premiering as part of the festival’s ‘2020 Spotlight’ programme. The film deserves a highlight for its premise alone as  a fantasy/horror set in a modern day America where witches are real and witchcraft is illegal. The film stars Gideon Adlon as Claire, a young teen who has to fight against her own prejudices and help a pair of witches/sisters, Fiona (Abigail Cowen) and Shae (Echo Campbell), to cross the border into Mexico which is offering asylum for witches. The film has more than a few surprises in store here and features fascinating world-building, and that’s one of the many reasons I’m recommending this one if you want to scratch that creepy itch. “Witch Hunt” World Premieres on Wednesday, March 17 at 9 PM EST.

Mark Ziobro 

‘Plant Heist’ 

Part of the ‘Documentary Shorts Competition,’ “Plant Heist” looks like an intriguing offering, centering on wildlife conservation by examining the harm of poachers in Northern California endangering the Dudelya Farinosa population among the coastline. I had no idea that poaching of succulent plants—those little pots I’ve seen in so many a grocery store—was such a pressing problem. The documentary is directed by brother and sister pair Chelsi de Cuba/Gabriel de Cuba and looks like a very insightful project I’m eager to check out. “Plant Heist” premieres on Tuesday, March 16th at 2 PM EST. Note: follow us for an interview with the de Cubas later this week. 

‘Gaia’ 

“Gaia,” by Director Jaco Bouwer looks like an intriguing entry as part of the ‘Midnighters’ grouping. The film looks to have elements of horror and the unknown as part of its M.O., as well as the elemental terror of wading deep into ancient forests in search of answers. The film stars Monique Rockman, Carel Nel, Alex Van Dyk, and Anthony Oseyemi. I love horror: and after a deluge of films like this that offer scares but turn out to be gore-fests, I’m eager to see if the film can offer up unique scares via atmosphere and story. “Gaia” premieres on Tuesday, March 16th at 10 PM EST. 

‘The Lost Sons’ 

“The Lost Sons” caught my attention. The film, directed by Ursula Macfarlane has an eerie synopsis—a baby kidnapped from a hospital, and a later abandonment of a toddler, who may in fact be the same child—and seems to present an eerie approach that promises to have dramatic and real parallels. I watched a short a few years ago called “Falsified” which dealt with Spain’s ‘Stolen Baby Scandal,’ and “The Lost Sons” seems to touch on the same elements. The film is premiering as part of the ‘Documentary Spotlight’ and is showing on Tuesday, March 16th at 6 PM EST. 

*Article completed by Mark Ziobro, Daniel Prinn, and Gryphon Magnus.