About Status
Your cut's status?
Many projects submitted to us each year are unfinished. While we're happy to consider projects that are still works-in-progress, we will not consider assembly cuts that are still largely in flux. It's always a good idea to submit the most complete version of your project possible, but don't worry if you haven't completed your final color correction or sound mix. Again, keep in mind, we will only watch this one submitted version.
SXSW will not screen multiple updates/versions of your project for programming consideration. Please send your project in the most complete and finished form possible.
About Status
Your cut's status?
Many projects submitted to us each year are unfinished. While we're happy to consider projects that are still works-in-progress, we will not consider assembly cuts that are still largely in flux. It's always a good idea to submit the most complete version of your project possible, but don't worry if you haven't completed your final color correction or sound mix. Again, keep in mind, we will only watch this one submitted version.
SXSW will not screen multiple updates/versions of your project for programming consideration. Please send your project in the most complete and finished form possible.
Above-the-Line Cast
Above-the-line is a term that refers to the list of individuals who guide, influence and hopefully add to the creative direction, process and voice of a given narrative in a film and their related expenditures. These roles include but are not limited to the screenwriter, producer, director, casting director and lead actors.
Premiere Status Definitions
World Premiere: Your project has:
- not screened theatrically in any country prior to SXSW, whether at a film festival or other ticketed, public theatrical exhibition
- not been broadcast or streamed on television in any country prior to SXSW
- not been available via the Internet for any period of time prior to SXSW
- not been released via any home video or other public distribution platform (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) in any country prior to SXSW
International Premiere: Your project has:
- not screened theatrically outside of its country or countries of origin prior to SXSW, whether at a film festival or other ticketed, public theatrical exhibition
- not been broadcast or streamed on television in any country prior to SXSW
- not been available via the Internet for any period of time prior to SXSW
- not been released via any home video or other public distribution platform (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) in any country prior to SXSW
North American Premiere: Your project has:
- not screened theatrically in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, or any other North American territory prior to SXSW, whether at a film festival or other ticketed, public theatrical exhibition
- not been broadcast or streamed on television in any country prior to SXSW
- not been available via the Internet for any period of time prior to SXSW
- not been released via any home video or other public distribution platform (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) in any country prior to SXSW
U.S. Premiere: Your project has:
- not screened theatrically in the U.S. prior to SXSW, whether at a film festival or other ticketed, public theatrical exhibition
- not been broadcast or streamed on television in any country prior to SXSW
- not been available via the Internet for any period of time prior to SXSW
- not been released via any home video or other public distribution platform (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) in any country prior to SXSW
Texas Premiere: Your project has:
- not screened theatrically in Texas prior to SXSW, whether at a film festival or other ticketed, public theatrical exhibition
- not been broadcast or streamed on television in any country prior to SXSW
- not been available via the Internet for any period of time prior to SXSW
- not been released via any home video or other public distribution platform (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) in any country prior to SXSW
Austin Premiere: Your project has:
- not screened theatrically in Austin prior to SXSW, whether at a film festival or other ticketed, public theatrical exhibition
- not been broadcast or streamed on television in any country prior to SXSW
- not been available via the Internet for any period of time prior to SXSW
- not been released via any home video or other public distribution platform (Blu-ray, DVD, streaming, VOD, etc.) in any country prior to SXSW
Not a Premiere: Your project has either:
- screened theatrically in Austin at a film festival prior to SXSW
- been released in a country other than the U.S. via television broadcast or theatrical screening before SXSW
- been broadcast or streamed on television
- been available publicly via the internet
If you have questions regarding eligibility please consult the Film & TV Submissions FAQ.
If you expect or hear that your premiere status has changed between submission and notification, please email filmfest@sxsw.com with the updated status.
If SXSW is your preference for your Premiere and you have been invited to a different festival, you can email filmfest@sxsw.com to check your project's status. This, however, does NOT mean we will give your entry an earlier look. Please keep in mind that the programming process takes time. We will be watching submissions through January.