South by Southwest London (SXSW), the world’s leading festival celebrating the convergence of creativity, culture and technology, today announced the second wave of its Screen programme and keynote speakers for SXSW London, taking place June 1-6.
The festival’s latest line-up announcement emphasises its mission to showcase original and impactful storytelling from around the world and brings to the forefront the work of leading industry figures across film, TV, theatre and literature.
The Screen Festival will feature an impressive roster of Global Premieres, led by its Opening Night feature “Virginia Woolf’s Night and Day” from BAFTA-nominated director Tina Ghavari and screenwriter Justine Waddell. Adapted from Virginia Woolf’s funniest novel Night and Day, the film features a standout cast including Haley Bennett, Jack Whitehall, Jennifer Saunders, Lily Allen, Sally Phillips and Misia Butler. Talent so far confirmed to attend the film’s much awaited World Premiere are Haley Bennett, Jack Whitehall, Sally Phillips, Misia Butler, Tina Ghavari and Justine Waddell.
Adding further prestige to the festival’s line-up will be the timely and darkly satirical “Savage House” boasting an all-star cast in Richard E. Grant and Claire Foy, Bel Powley and Jack Farthing. The film’s esteemed lead cast Richard E. Grant and Claire Foy will be on the red carpet to celebrate the film’s highly anticipated Global Debut at SXSW London.
Joining these cinematic highlights will be an exclusive first look screening of the Adult Swim animated series from Warner Bros. Animation, “Get Jiro,” based on The New York Times bestselling DC/Vertigo graphic novel from renowned chef Anthony Bourdain. Executive Produced by Brian Gatewood, Alessandro Tanaka, Jordan Blum, Anthony Bourdain, Joel Rose, and Sam Register, “Get Jiro” stars Brian Tee (A House of Dynamite) and is set in a not-too-distant future Los Angeles where master chefs rule the town and people literally kill for a seat at the best restaurants.
SXSW London has also unveiled 6 films selected for this year’s “Official Competition” section. Anna Bogutskaya, Head of Screen at SXSW London commented: “The films in our Official Competition embody what we are most excited about in contemporary cinema: no-holds-barred, deeply human and formally audacious films that provoke and challenge us to think wider, deeper and more empathetically.” This curated list of UK premieres brings to the forefront the exceptional lineup of international talent, bringing forward new narratives and bold visions from around the world and includes:
- THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SUN (Dir: Tawfik Sabouni) (Belgium, France, Saudi Arabia) (Documentary)
- THE RED HANGAR (Dir: Juan Pablo Sallato) (Chile, Argentina, Italy) (Film)
- ROYA (Dir: Mahnaz Mohammadi) (Germany, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Iran) (Film)
- MEMORY (Dir: Vladlena Sandu) (France) (Film)
- REMAKE (Dir: Ross McElwee) (US) (Documentary)
- ONLY REBELS WIN (Dir: Danielle Arbid) (France, Lebanon, Qatar) (Film)
Additionally, the festival today announced its expanded lineup of unmissable industry panels and high calibre speakers from the world of film, TV, literature and theatre. Sessions will include a deep dive on the groundbreaking and innovative VFX technologies used to bring “Toy Story 5” to life. Culturally relevant topics under discussion will also include the rise of the “BookTok” phenomenon and its direct impact on the TV industry, the growing appreciation of the casting director following the first-ever Best Casting Oscar this year, the evolution and reinvention of classic literary icons, the responsibilities of creative leadership and the new economics of global coproductions.
New additions to the industry speakers and panel sessions will include:
Toy Meets Tech: The New Technologies of Toy Story 5: Thomas Jordan (Toy Story 5 VFX supervisor) engages in a deep dive into the next generation of animation of Toy Story 5. Discover the innovative technologies that brought your favourite toys to life in this latest instalment. .From groundbreaking animation techniques to advanced lighting systems and cutting-edge rigs, Thomas will share insights on how his team leveraged these tools to streamline workflows, tackle complex challenges, and ultimately enhance the storytelling.
BookTok to Screen: Making Hits Out of Views: Tara Erer (Head of Originals UK & Europe, Prime Video) and Hannah Griffiths (Head of Adaptations, Banijay) discuss how viral literary trends are transformed into global streaming sensations.
The Beyond the Audition: Casting Directors: As the industry celebrates the first-ever Best Casting Oscar, renowned casting directors Sophie Holland (The Witcher, Wednesday) and BAFTA-winner Lucy Pardee (Aftersun, Die My Love) unpack their roles as the “secret architects of culture.”
Responsibilities of Creative Leadership: Mia Bays (BFI Filmmaking Fund) and Nadia Fall(The Young Vic) lead a vital conversation on accountability, institutional culture, and leading with intent.
Big Stories, No Borders: Samuel Kissous (Pernel Media) and Claire Mundell (Synchronicity Films) examine the new economics of global co-productions.
