SXSW Rounds Out 2025 Film Lineup: Jacob Elordi Pic ‘On Swift Horses’ Closing Fest; Jillian Bell’s ‘Summer Of 69’ Making World Premiere
SXSW has rounded out its film lineup for the 2025 edition, while also announcing that Daniel Minahan’s On Swift Horses will close the film and TV festival in its U.S. premiere.
Daisy Edgar-Jones, Jacob Elordi and Will Poulter star in On Swift Horses, which follows Muriel (Edgar-Jones) and her husband Lee (Poulter) as they are about to begin a bright new life, which is upended by the arrival of Lee’s brother. Muriel embarks on a secret life, gambling on racehorses and discovering a love she never thought possible.
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The Sony Pictures Classics romance also features Diego Calva and Sasha Calle. Pic was produced by Peter Spears, Minahan, Tim Headington, Mollye Asher, Theresa Steele Page and Michael D’Alto and written by Bryce Kass. The pic made its world premiere at TIFF back in September.
Making its world premiere at the fest is Jillian Bell’s feature directorial debut Summer of 69, in which the 22 Jump Street actress also stars.
As previously announced, the Amazon MGM Studios movie Another Simple Favor and Apple TV+ series The Studio will open up the Austin-based SXSW Film & TV Festival, which runs March 7-15.
The 20 additional projects announced Wednesday bring the SXSW 2025 film lineup to 111 features including 90 world premieres, three international premieres, three North American premieres, four U.S. premieres, 11 Texas premieres, 57 short films and 19 music videos. The TV program includes 17 TV projects, with six TV premieres, four TV spotlights and seven independent TV pilots. There are 32 projects in the XR Experience Program, including 15 in XR Experience Competition and 17 in XR Experience Spotlight.
“We’re beyond thrilled to pull back the curtain on our full SXSW 2025 program,” said Claudette Godfrey, VP Film & TV at SXSW. “From boundary-pushing independent voices to major premiere events, this year’s lineup showcases storytelling at its finest. Whether you’re drawn to thought-provoking documentaries, innovative series, immersive XR experiences, or groundbreaking international films, there’s something here to spark every imagination. Austin’s creative energy is ready to welcome you as we gather to discover, debate, and celebrate together. Get ready for an unforgettable festival experience.”
Here are the lineup addition:
Film Program
NARRATIVE SPOTLIGHT
Magic Hour (World Premiere)
Director: Katie Aselton; Producers: Emily A. Neumann, Mark Duplass, Mel Eslyn, Jay Duplass; Screenwriters: Mark Duplass, Katie Aselton; Logline: Erin and Charlie escape to the desert to navigate an unexpected and challenging new phase of their relationship. Cast: Daveed Diggs, Katie Aselton, Brad Garrett, Susan Sullivan
The Rivals of Amziah King (World Premiere)
Director: Andrew Patterson; Producers: David Heyman, Teddy Schwarzman, Jeffrey Clifford, Michael Heimler, James Montague, Will Greenfield; Screenwriter: James Montague; Logline: Charismatic local beekeeper Amziah King oversees a beloved honey operation in the American southwest. When his foster daughter unexpectedly returns, Amziah sets out to bring her into the family business despite facing ruthless competitors with other plans. Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Angelina LookingGlass, Kurt Russell, Jake Horowitz, Scott Shepherd, Rob Morgan, Tony Revolori, Owen Teague, Bruce Davis, Cole Sprouse
Satisfaction (United States, Ukraine, Greece, Italy, France) (World Premiere)
Director-Screenwriter: Alex Burunova; Producers: Rafael Thomaseto, Kyle Stroud, Helena Sardinha, Iryna Asonova; Logline: Set against the Greek isles, British composers Lola and Philip’s relationship lingers in silence as she struggles to reclaim her voice. When she meets magnetic Elena and brings her into the fold, tensions rise, forcing Lola to confront her dark past. Cast: Emma Laird, Fionn Whitehead, Zar Amir, Adwoa Aboah
Summer of 69 (World Premiere)
Director: Jillian Bell; Producers: Jeremy Garelick, Will Phelps, Molle DeBartolo, Jillian Bell, Breanna Bell-Singer, Matt Skiena, Adam Goodman, Lucas Carter; Screenwriters: Jillian Bell, Liz Nico, Jules Byrne; Logline: An awkward high school senior hires an exotic dancer to help seduce her longtime crush before graduation, leading to unexpected friendship and lessons in self-confidence, acceptance and adulthood. Cast: Chloe Fineman, Sam Morelos, Matt Cornett, Nicole Byer, Liza Koshy, Natalie Morales, Alex Moffat, Fernando Carsa, Paula Pell, Charlie Day
Sweetness (Canada) (World Premiere)
Director-Screenwriter: Emma Higgins; Producers: Taj Critchlow, Daniel Quinn; Logline: When a chance encounter with her rock star crush leads 16-year-old Rylee to discover that he’s a dysfunctional drug addict, she takes it upon herself to help him, ultimately forcing her teenage fantasies into reality. Cast: Kate Hallett, Herman T?mmeraas, Aya Furukawa, Justin Chatwin, Amanda Brugel, Steven Ogg, Julius Cho
Trash Baby (World Premiere)
Director-Screenwriter: Jacy Mairs; Producers: Jacy Mairs, Karlee Boon, Cameron Holly Dexter; Logline: Stevie is stuck at home for yet another sweltering summer in Pine Park. She soon crosses paths with wild not-so-child, Edie, and finds herself grappling with the natural desire to grow up and the reality of what we lose when we do. Cast: Esther Harrison, Chloe Kramer, Eddie Lee Wollrabe, Brianna Paige Dague, Andre Wollrabe, Makenna DeCaro, Serenity Hibbard, Dominic Hendrikz, Nick Sutton, Elijah Carnazzo
DOCUMENTARY SPOTLIGHT
American Sons (United Kingdom)
Director: Andrew James Gonzales; Producers: Laura Varela, Andrew James Gonzales, Elizabeth Avellan; Screenwriters: Laura Varela, Andrew James Gonzales; Logline: Haunted by a deadly deployment, a Brotherhood of Marines reunites to heal.
I’m Carl Lewis! (World Premiere)
Directors: Julie Anderson, Chris Hay; Producers: Ian Davies, Torquil Jones, Chris Hay, John McKenna; Screenwriters: Gabriel Clarke, Chris Hay; Logline: In track and field he’s remembered as The Greatest and athletics’ first commercially global star. Yet his life is often misunderstood. For the first time, Carl Lewis tells the story surrounding his uncompromising drive.
24 BEATS PER SECOND
24 Hours of Grace (World Premiere)
Director-Screenwriter: Steven Zhu; Producers: Steven Zhu, Izvor Zivkovic, Joslyn Jacoby, Jack Murgatroyd; Logline: Follow ZHU’s journey as he sets out to reclaim his seat in dance music. Featuring ZHU, Mitch Bell, Aaron Leibowitz, Vince Fossett, Dante Jones, Rush Davis, Freddy Janney
FESTIVAL FAVORITE
40 Acres (Canada) (U.S. Premiere)
Director: R.T. Thorne; Producer: Jennifer Holness, Screenwriter: R.T. Thorne, Glenn Taylor; Logline: Hailey Freeman and her family are the last descendants of African American farmers who settled in Canada after the Civil War. In a famine-decimated near future, they make one last stand against a vicious militia hell-bent on taking their 40 Acres. Cast: Danielle Deadwyler, Kataem O’Connor, Michael Greyeyes, Milcania Diaz-Rojas
Deaf President Now! (Texas Premiere)
Directors: Nyle DiMarco, Davis Guggenheim; Producers: Nyle DiMarco, Davis Guggenheim, Amanda Rohlke, Jonathan King, Michael Harte; Logline: During eight tumultuous days in 1988 at the world’s only Deaf university, four students must find a way to lead an angry mob — and change the course of history.
The Librarians (Texas Premiere)
Director: Kim A. Snyder; Producers: Kim A Snyder, Janique L Robillard, Maria Cuomo Cole, Jana Edelbaum; Logline: As an unprecedented wave of book banning is sparked in Texas, Florida, and beyond, librarians under siege join forces as unlikely defenders fighting for intellectual freedom on the front lines of democracy.
Marlee Matlin Not Alone Anymore (Texas Premiere)
Director: Shoshannah Stern; Producers: Robyn Kopp, Justine Nagan, Bonni Cohen, Shoshannah Stern; Logline: In 1987, Marlee Matlin became the first Deaf actor to win an Oscar and was thrust into the spotlight at age 21. Reflecting on her life in American Sign Language, Marlee explores the complexities of what it means to be a trailblazer. Featuring Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur, Henry Winkler, Aaron Sorkin, Lauren Ridloff, John Maucere, Randa Haines, Sian Heder, Shoshannah Stern, Jack Jason
On Swift Horses (US Premiere)
Director: Daniel Minahan; Producers: Peter Spears, Daniel Minahan, Tim Headington, Mollye Asher, Theresa Steele Page, Michael D’Alto; Screenwriter: Bryce Kass; Logline: Muriel and her husband Lee are about to begin a bright new life, which is upended by the arrival of Lee’s brother. Muriel embarks on a secret life, gambling on racehorses and discovering a love she never thought possible. Cast: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Jacob Elordi, Will Poulter, Diego Calva, Sasha Calle
Sally (Texas Premiere)
Director-Screenwriter: Cristina Costantini; Producers: Cristina Costantini, Lauren Cioffi, Jon Bardin, Dan Cogan; Logline: Sally Ride became the first American woman to blast off into space, but beneath her unflappable composure was a secret. Sally’s life partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy, reveals their hidden romance and the sacrifices that accompanied their 27 years together.
Together (Australia) (Texas Premiere)
Director-Screenwriter: Michael Shanks; Producers: Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Mike Cowap, Andrew Mittman, Erik Feig, Max Silva; Logline: With a move to the countryside already testing the limits of a couple’s relationship, a supernatural encounter begins an extreme transformation of their love, their lives, and their flesh. Cast: Dave Franco, Alison Brie, Damon Herriman
TV Program
TV PREMIERE
The Yogurt Shop Murders (World Premiere)
Director: Margaret Brown; Producers: Alice Henty, Michael Bloch; Logline: In 1991, four teenage girls were brutally murdered at a frozen yogurt shop in Austin. What happened that night continues to mystify the police, the families, and the city. This series explores the complex questions and trauma left by the unsolved case.
MUSIC VIDEO COMPETITION
Megan Thee Stallion ft. RM – ‘Neva Play’
Director: Warren Fu, Carl Jones
XR Experience
XR Experience Spotlight
Symphoni
Director: Ingram Mao, Producer: Seleny Xie
Step into a world of music and magic with Symphoni, techToy Studio’s innovative mixed reality experience. Symphoni reimagines classical music into a rhythm adventure, where conducting meets spell-casting in a way that feels magical yet intuitive.
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