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SXSW Film Festival Announces First Batch of Titles

January 3, 2008
by Alex Billington

SXSW Film Festival

The SXSW Film Festival is a lil' down-to-earth film fest held in Austin, Texas every year. I personally haven't been, but I've heard nothing but great things. The film fest is just a portion of the larger South by Southwest Festival yet still attracts some of the best indie films and filmmakers. Matt Dentler has announced the first batch of movies that will be playing at this year's fest, that runs from March 7th to 15th. It's a great selection so far and should make for an exciting fest.

The opening night film for the 15th edition of the South by Southwest Film Festival is Robert Luketic's 21.

21 - The film, directed by Robert Luketic from a script by Peter Steinfeld and Allan Loeb, is scheduled to open in theaters on March 28. Based on Ben Mezrich's popular book, Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions, the film stars Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, and Laurence Fishburne.

"We're thrilled to have 21 screen as the Opening Night Film of SXSW 2008," says Festival Producer Matt Dentler. "With a great story, as well as fantastic talent in front of and behind the camera, we're willing to bet that audiences will be just as excited."

At the Death House Door - Directed by Steve James and Peter Gilbert. A sobering and powerful story of the wrongful execution of Carlos DeLuna and the Death House Chaplain, Pastor Carroll Pickett, who spent the last day of DeLuna's life with him.

Dreams With Sharp Teeth - Directed by Erik Nelson. A documentary portrait of acclaimed author Harlan Ellison, as he looks back on his fabled and influential career as one of the world's top science fiction writers.

Flawless - Directed by Michael Radford. In 1960s London, a talented but overlooked diamond executive (Demi Moore) is convinced to participate in a jewelry heist when a veteran janitor (Michael Caine) hatches a plan.

Run Fatboy Run - Directed by David Schwimmer. An out-of-shape divorced father (Simon Pegg) makes one last attempt to win back the respect of his son, his ex-wife (Thandie Newton), and the community around him. All he has to do is finish his first marathon.

Wild Blue Yonder - Directed by Celia Maysles. Celia Maysles had no idea her father and his brother Albert were pioneers of verite documentary filmmaking. Determined to uncover the secrets surrounding her background, Celia sets out on a quest to rediscover her father by using his own artistic process.

SXSW will announce the complete lineup of 2008 feature films in early February. We will likely be covering the festival in its entirety, so once March swings around, look for our coverage. For more information, head to 2008.sxsw.com.

Discover More: Indies, Movie News, SXSW 08

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Reader Feedback - 1 Comment »

1

Flawless? Oh gosh that sounds horrible. Caine the expert thief janitor! Demi (the botox injections have made it impossible to frown) Moore! Oh man…who is in the supporting cast? Dom Delouise as the villain? Mickey Rooney as the all knowing sage?

Heckle on Jan 3, 2008

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