SXSW

  • The ‘New Model’ of IMDb

    As the Internet continues to change relationships within the film industry, the medium’s leading mainstream database has learned how to adapt. Col Needham, the Seattle-based founder of the Internet Movie Database, spoke yesterday at SXSW about the site’s highly ambitious plans to radically flesh out its video content. Needham’s money quote, which wound up in…

    By

    Eric Kohn

  • Zombies Get Interactive

    It’s literally impossible to enter the Austin Convention Center during SXSW and not notice somebody blogging, vlogging or otherwise engaged with a digital device. But the interactivity expands beyond documentation of the event itself to many of the projects looking for attention at it. At the trade show, a collaborative filmmaking project called "Lost Zombies"…

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    Eric Kohn

  • 20 Minutes of Sacha Baron Cohen’s Risky ‘Bruno’

    "This is pretty much next to God for me," said Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League last night at Universal’s 20-minute sneak peak at three scenes from Sacha Baron Cohen’s upcoming "Bruno." Cohen might not look like a deity, but he clearly enacts a wrathful vengeance upon his immoral targets — in this case, homophobia in…

    By

    Eric Kohn

  • Weekend Report: Trolling for Distribution

    During the opening weekend at SXSW, many filmmakers focused on whether the movies being screened would ever find distribution.   “Best Worst Movie,” a documentary about the cult appeal of 1990’s “Troll 2,” premiered to a sold-out crowd at the Alamo Ritz on Saturday, followed by a screening of the movie itself. Director Michael Stephenson…

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    Eric Kohn

  • Opening Night: From Jon Favreau to Trippy Psychelics

    Jon Favreau fielded several routine questions about "Iron Man 2" as he walked the red carpet for the SXSW opening-night film "I Love You, Man" Friday night at Austin’s Paramount theater. Favreau co-stars in the conventional "bromance" with Paul Rudd and Jason Segel. "We’re shooting in a few weeks," he said. "It’s busy." However, the actor-director…

    By

    Eric Kohn

  • Heavy Rain, Heavy Crowds

    Rainy weather hampered the typically upbeat tone of the first day at SXSW, but it didn’t stop the rush of the crowd. Even on Thursday night, more than 12 hours before the conference officially began, hundreds of people crowded into the Austin Convention Center to pick up their registration badges. It had SXSW regulars grumbling…

    By

    Eric Kohn

  • Rogen, Raimi Add to 22SXSW Fever

    The South by Southwest organizers continue fanning the flames of anticipation. While the music component of the festival — which kicks off Friday and runs for 10 days — turns 22 this year, the relatively younger film and interactive aspects (launched in 1994) dominate the headlines with a salient lineup of promising screenings and noteworthy…

    By

    Eric Kohn