SXSW unrolls film programme

One US-NZ title appears in the mix with additional NZ interest in the returning Episodic programme strand.

Ben Powell’s doco Barge, named as a US-NZ production, takes a look at some of the characters who ply their trade on the Mississippi river. The film, having its world premiere outing at SXSW, screens in the festival’s Visions section. The strand is for “audacious, risk-taking artists in the new cinema landscape who demonstrate raw innovation and creativity”.

In SXSW’s Episodic programme, there’s the world premiere outing for the Rose McIver-led iZombie which hits US TV screens on 18 March, five days after SXSW opens.

With a few titles still to be named, SXSW will present 145 features, chosen from 2,385 submissions. The vast majority of the selection is American. Also travelling to Texas from this part of the world will be Josh Lawson’s Aussie comedy The Little Death. Shortly before the much-delayed Mad Max: Fury Road opens, George Miller will present a special screening of The Road Warrior (Mad Max 2).

The remainder of SXSW’s film selections and accompany conference programme will be announced by 18 February. SXSW runs its film festival 14 – 22 March (NZ time).