Limited time and so much to see and do… I know how tough it can be to put together a schedule at a behemoth like SXSW, so here is a list of the panels and films I’m excited about with a little tidbit about why. I’m planning on seeing all the Doc Feature Competition films in addition to trying to catch up on some Sundance films and others. If you see anything during the fest that you want to recommend, drop me a line. I try to hit my schedule but also go with the flow if something is getting a lot of good word-of-mouth.

Panels:
Is Fair Use Fair?
No Budget Filmmaking – I’m moderating
Indie Film Distribution: It Takes an Online Community
Documentary Distribution

Films (not all docs):
Bulletproof Salesman – Director: Michael Tucker & Petra Epperlein
Fidelis Cloer is a self-confessed war profiteer who found The Perfect War when the US invaded Iraq. It wasn’t about selling a dozen cars, or even a hundred, it was a thousand-car war where security would become the ultimate product. (World Premiere) – From the makers of The Prisoner, or How I Planned to Kill Tony Blair

Some Assembly Required – Director: Dori Berinstein
Over 2000 kids. 400 teams nationwide. Eight months of brainstorming, designing and building. One goal: to create the next great toy. (World Premiere) – Dori is fabulous, and the film looks like fun.

American Teen – Director: Nanette Burstein.
A documentary on seniors at a high school in a small Indiana town, and their various cliques. (Regional Premiere) – Film got lots of thumbs-up at Sundance.

Beautiful Losers – Directors: Aaron Rose & Joshua Leonard.
A feature documentary film celebrating the independent and D.I.Y. spirit that unified a loose-knit group of American artists who emerged from the underground youth subcultures of skateboarding, graffiti, punk rock and hip-hop. (World Premiere) – A, forgive me, beautiful film about a group of not-so-outsider artists.

Nights and Weekends – Director/writers: Joe Swanberg & Greta Gerwig.
A man and woman must face the tension that builds between them during a long-distance relationship. (World Premiere) – Should be a fun screening.

The Order of Myths – Director: Margaret Brown.
A probing and artful portrait of the divided Mardi Gras communities that still exist today in Alabama. (Regional Premiere) – Another Sundance premiere that was widely praised and Margaret is an Austinite, so hometown screening should be a great experience.

Shot In Bombay – Director: Liz Mermin.
Yes, Bollywood makes gangster films. This fast paced documentary, populated by a charismatic and often surreal cast of characters, goes beyond the tinselly glamour of “Bollywood” to explore some of the industry’s darker sides. (North American Premiere) – Liz made The Beauty Academy of Kabul and Office Tigers; I always enjoy her work and this one looks even more promising than the previous films.

Nerdcore Rising – Director: Negin Farsad.
“Nerdcore” is the newest, dorkiest wave of hip-hop, born out of the internet and made possible by computer-obsessed geeks. (World Premiere) – If you can dig great hip-hop or electronica, see this movie. The guys in it are very unexpected.

Intimidad – Directors: David Redmon & Ashley Sabin.
Cecy and Camilo recently migrated to Reynosa, Mexico with a dream to buy land and build a home. A year later they return to their rural hometown to reunite with their daughter. What seems like a satisfying reunion turns into a confusing dilemma that transforms the course of their marriage. (World Premiere) – From the filmmakers of Kamp Katrina comes another quiet yet powerful close-up on the economic divide.

34 x 25 x 36 – Director: Jesse Epstein
A tour of the Patina V Mannequin Factory, in Industry City, outside of LA. – Jesse made The Guarantee, which is one of the best shorts I’ve seen in a while. Can’t wait to see her new one.

Catalogue of Anticipations – Director/Writer: David Lowery
A young girl’s perspective on mortality changes when she makes an unsettling discovery in her backyard. – David’s eye is impeccable, I’m looking forward to seeing his storytelling.

Shut Eye Hotel – Director/Writer: Bill Plympton
Shut Eye Hotel is a film noir murder mystery that takes place in a sleazy hotel. As cops investigate the gruesome murders they become victims of this evil force. What Jaws did to swimming, Shut Eye Hotel will do for sleeping. – Always watch Bill Plympton animations!

Madame Tulti-Pulti – Director: Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski
Madame Tutli-Putli boards the night train, weighed down by all her earthly possessions and the ghosts of her past. – A stunning animation from Canada; Oscar-nominated.

Ubuntu – Director: David Serota
Ubuntu is a mini-doc about the Soweto Kliptown Youth Organization (SKY) located in an impoverished area of Johannesburg, South Africa. – SXSWClick jury winner.

The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela – Director/writer: Olaf de Fleur. Starring: Raquela Rios, Stefan Schaefer, Olivia Galudo. Raquela is looking for a way out of her tireless job as a “ladyboy” prostitute, which brings her to Iceland with some unexpected outcomes. (North American Premiere) – Just won the Teddy at Berlin, and gives doc enthusiasts lots of fodder for discussion.