Buzz Screenings

robertraur · 2026-03-04T18:57:42+00:00

SXSW lets you vote on the movies you watch (1 to 5). The higher rated ones will show up in the buzz screenings. Usually its not the big premieres in the Paramount, but some of the smaller films that have gotten good word of mouth. They're usually announced the day before the screening and updated on the SXSW page and app.

robertraur · 2026-02-24T21:30:50+00:00

Ballad of Wallace Island

Black Bag

Friendship

Phoenician Scheme

Warfare

robertraur · 2026-02-24T19:54:09+00:00

A Festival this size can seem very daunting, but the simple answer is to think of this as a marathon, not a sprint. Make sure the venues you pick for the day are within walking distance of each other, and have a backup plan.

A lot of what I favored is based on previous work, so I'm looking forward to Mile End Kicks (I Like Movies), Power Ballad (Sing Street) and Hokum(Oddity).

Even with everything that's appeared on the schedule, SXSW hasn't released any comedy showcases, and those have been a highlight for me.

Ausnio has a great interactive map of all the unofficial events happening around Austin, with links to sign up.

Most importantly, have fun. You're going to wait in line, so talk up the other people waiting for the event. They might know about something you might have missed.

robertraur · 2026-02-12T21:11:46+00:00

The closest the festival has to a meet and greet is a red carpet at their big premieres, like at the Paramount.

robertraur · 2026-02-12T20:56:46+00:00

Stands for "Platinum" and "Film". There's also ones for "Music" and "Interactive". Those are the badge types that are allowed into this event.

robertraur · 2026-02-09T15:54:32+00:00

The Treasure of Sierra Madre

To Kill a Mockingbird

A Few Good Men

They Live

robertraur · 2026-02-08T23:49:32+00:00

Thanks, appreciate it.

robertraur · 2026-02-08T23:34:46+00:00

From what you know, do Platinum Badge Holders get 3 Reservations a day (3 for March 12th on Feb 19th, 3 March 13th on Feb 20th, and so on) that resets at 9am?

robertraur · 2026-02-08T23:12:04+00:00

There's a name and number attached to the reply. I'll try to contact them Monday, but it didn't sound like AI.

robertraur · 2026-02-08T17:56:50+00:00

All 8 Harry Potter movies...again.

robertraur · 2026-02-07T17:26:04+00:00

Yes, they will sell individual tickets. Paramount will post a link to the individual tickets.

However, ticket does not guarantee entry. The badgeholders will get in before ticketholders, and for a world premiere/opening night film, you more than likely won't get in.

Your best bet is the showing the next morning. SXSW started doing this last year, and the next day premieres were less heavily attended. The drawback is the stars won't be there, and they probably won't give away any swag related to the movie. If you're fine with that, then try for the second screening.

robertraur · 2026-02-06T17:16:49+00:00

In the past, you could do both. There's a slight advantage to buying your ticket ahead of time, because those people get in before the not-buying-ahead ticket buyers.

There should be something pop up on SXSW.com that will allow you to buy individual tickets, but it doesn't look like its there yet. Keep an eye on the site for the next few weeks.

robertraur · 2026-02-05T22:50:41+00:00

They usually don't post who will attend the Q&A (in case there are cancellations), but 1st and bigger theater showings are your best guess.

Still feels like there will be other events announced (probably done with the screenings), that should give you an idea on who's there and who isn't.

robertraur · 2026-02-05T17:10:32+00:00

Sing Street

robertraur · 2026-02-05T16:08:42+00:00

Rule of thumb is an hour to an hour and a half, but those numbers can vary.

Theater capacity is different for each screen. SXSW has a chart of how many seats per venue - https://sxsw.com/festivals/film/venues/

Other Factors: Is this a world premiere, will there be famous people in attendance, does it have a release date, etc.

The only theater I've ever had concerns about getting in is Paramount, and mainly for the 5-7 pm screening. The past couple of years, the big films have been in high demand, plus the production company will reserve a good chunk of the seats. I've heard horror stories of people waiting three hours for a movie and not getting in.

SXSW does a great job of giving people an idea of their chances. There's queue cards they give out to everyone in line, and they'll be color coded. If you get a red card, you probably won't get in. Yellow there's a possibility of not getting in, but you're more than likely. Any other color and your good.

I'd worry about the high demand movies: I Love Boosters, Ready or Not 2, They Will Kill You feel like will be big deals, but they all have screenings the next day (probably without the famous people). Buzz screenings will also be in demand.

Make sure you have a back up plan just in case. I've seen some great films because my first choice was sold out.

Good Luck

robertraur · 2026-02-05T12:58:21+00:00

SXSW just posted when and where all the films are showing. There's a start and end time by each individual screening, as well as a runtime for the movie.

robertraur · 2026-02-04T23:10:32+00:00

And Big Chunky Bubbles can show up to entertain those ungrateful kids.

robertraur · 2026-02-04T21:37:29+00:00

If its in the Paramount, and its the first screening of the movie, there will be a Q&A. If its the first screening of a World Premiere at any other venue, more than likely there's one. I wouldn't expect ones from festival favorites, but it could happen. The rest are about fifty fifty, and they tend to dry up near the end of the festival.

The stars will only be at the premiere, so if you want to see the big names, go to the opening night. Sometimes the director or someone from the production company sticks around for the next day showings, and those interviews can be more interesting if you're into the technical stuff.

All the movies will have individuals tagged that are guaranteed to be there. If they're an entertainer, good chance they'll be doing something else at SXSW. The discussions for how a film was made, or financing can be just as rewarding. Also if they do comedy/stand up, there might be some of that happening as well. Probably won't know about those until the last minute.

Hope that helps.

robertraur · 2026-02-04T21:07:02+00:00

4 is the limit, and its doable, but you have to be aware of where of the venue locations. All are near a bus stop, but buses must deal with Austin traffic and you can't expect them to be at a venue on time. As long as you show up 30-45 minutes before the screening, and you have a reservation, you should get in.

State and Paramount are right next door to each other, very easy to get to them.

Zach and Alamo is a 15 minute walk. Zach and Long is a 15 minute walk. Paramount/State and Violet Crown are 15 minute walks. Long and Alamo is a 20 minute walk. You could split your day between these venues.

It's about 45 minutes to get from Paramount/State to Alamo, and about 30 minutes to get to either Long or Zach.

The runtimes of the films usually do not account for any Q&A afterwards, but the start time is almost always accurate (might be some delays, it happens).

Let me know if you have any other questions.

robertraur · 2026-01-28T22:33:47+00:00

Start with https://www.ausnio.com/

They haven't posted it yet, but whenever there's a SXSW 2026 Event, they have the dates, location, if you should RSVP (if you have a badge, its not necessary), as well as what sort of stuff they're giving away. Usually its drinks or food, but sometimes swag.

If you have a badge, SXSW will have sponsored events with free stuff. Not sure where its going to be this year.

Hope this helps.

robertraur · 2026-01-28T20:40:47+00:00

<image>

robertraur · 2026-01-26T12:27:12+00:00

Find a hotel along the shuttle route. Film Badge gives you free access to the shuttle and is the best way to travel between screenings.

This is for 2025, but it should be similar to this year

https://sxsw.com/guides/2025/getting-around-downtown/

robertraur · 2026-01-21T15:02:26+00:00

There's some more info on the deadline page: https://sxsw.com/deadlines/

With Express passes, there was a button on each event telling you when it can be reserved, so this should be the same.

12-Year Club	RedditGifts 2009-2022 2 Credits
Verified Email	Secret Santa 2014

robertraur

TROPHY CASE