UPDATED with Viewers Award winners: South by Southwest has introduced its Movie & TV Competition Jury and Particular Award winners. They acknowledge “superlative creativity and expertise demonstrated by filmmakers and designers within the SXSW Movie & TV program.”
Wishful Pondering, starring Lewis Pullman and Maya Hawke took the Narrative Function prize, whereas Susan Kent’s work in The Snake gained her the Particular Jury Award for Efficiency.
“This week jogged my memory, as soon as once more, why we do that,” stated Claudette Godfrey, VP, Movie & TV. “The world has felt heavy. However inside our theaters, one thing extraordinary occurred. Strangers turned collaborators, audiences confirmed up with their complete hearts, and filmmaker after filmmaker reminded us precisely why we collect. We’re so proud to have fun this yr’s jury and particular award winners. Belief us, you’re going to be listening to much more from them.”
All 2026 Movie & TV Competition tasks shall be eligible for category-specific Viewers Awards. That vote will conclude on Wednesday, March 18. Winners shall be introduced through sxsw.com later this week.
See beneath for all SXSW Movie & TV Competition Jury and Particular Award winners, with quotes supplied by class jurors:
NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION
Winner: Wishful Pondering directed by Graham Parkes
“Taking audiences on a humorous, wild, and surprisingly poignant experience, this movie follows an electrical couple who’ve a once-in-a-lifetime connection, however quickly understand their flamable vitality has drastic penalties to the skin world. Outstanding performances conjure grounded, not often explored moments in on a regular basis relationships whereas balancing dramedy with a style twist in a formidable achievement that deserves excessive reward.”
Particular Jury Award for Efficiency: Susan Kent, The Snake
“With a fearless perspective and a decided spirit, this actor gained over the jury along with her showstopping efficiency. Taking part in the movie’s central character, a wild baby trying to make higher selections after a lifetime of antagonism from her mom and a string of disappointing males, she holds little again whereas dwelling out her character’s worst impulses. But she finds the tender, quiet moments for her character to rebuild her life away from anger. Her efficiency is a masterclass in how the best actor transforms a task and calls for to be seen.”
Particular Jury Award for Screenwriting: Robb Boardman, Cory Loykasek, Donny Divianian and Frankie Quinones, Plantman & Blondie: A Gown Up Gang Movie
“How excellent {that a} caper comedy about solitary males connecting with their neighbors is itself a tribute to collaboration. Collectively, 4 screenwriters assembled a script of spectacular intricacy and ambition that’s directly severe in regards to the disaster of social isolation, whereas additionally being a brilliant foolish good time. The themes are common; the jokes and callbacks are tight, particular and hilarious. Better of all, each character on this gigantic ensemble will get a second to shine. Now that’s teamwork.”
Narrative Function Competitors Jury: Monica Castillo, Freelance Critic, RogerEbert.com; Amy Nicholson, Movie Critic, Los Angeles Occasions; and Gregory Ellwood, Editor At Massive, The Playlist
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION
Winner: Summer season 2000: The X-Cetra Story directed by Ayden Mayeri
“Avidly weaving particular person tales right into a cohesive complete, this pleasant and poignant ode to the creativity of childhood examines the bonds of its topics, and the way rising up eroded them. Relatively than moving into an account with a predetermined conclusion, the viewer bears witness to how these 4 girls navigate the thorny street to mending their relationships and reconnect with part of themselves they’d lengthy uncared for.”
Particular Jury Award: The Final Critic directed by Matty Wishnow
“A captivating, sensible, intimate and affectionate story with a likable down-to-earth topic. However what makes it distinctive is how the director seamlessly builds out a bigger context. By means of the lens of his topic’s astonishingly long-lived profession, the movie turns into a wistful reminiscence of outdated New York, an examination of the methods the media and music industries have modified through the years, and a celebration of a continuously misunderstood however vibrant and important artwork type.”
Particular Jury Award: Stormbound directed by Miko Lim
“An beautiful instance of visible storytelling, this movie takes audiences into the attention of probably the most terrifying hurricanes. The Director, Cinematographer and the movie’s protagonist used the digital camera to create a visceral expertise that’s unparalleled amongst this yr’s competitors.”
Documentary Function Competitors Jury: Carlos Aguilar, Movie Critic, Freelance; Tatiana Siegel, Author at Massive, The California Submit; and Angie Han, Critic, The Hollywood Reporter
SHORT FILM COMPETITION
Narrative Shorts Competitors
Winner: Memento directed by Renée Marie Petropoulos
“Led by shifting, uncooked performances, this movie meets viewers in an intimate area. Layering the complexities of affection, belief, and the vulnerability of being perceived, this quick is a phenomenal piece of storytelling that sheds gentle on probably the most intrinsic and intimidating features of relationships and girlhood.”
Particular Jury Award: Supper directed by Savannah Braswell
“The Particular Jury Award honors this undertaking for refusing to be the movie you count on, and for astonishing the viewers with a twist that challenges our assumptions. On this digital period of parasocial relationships, this story meets us precisely the place we’re and dismantles our assumptions about true connection by a shifting and beneficiant lens.”
Narrative Quick Competitors Jury: Ryan Koo, Founder, No Movie Faculty; Rheagan Kearney, Artistic Government, Ley Line Leisure; and Kara Durrett, President and Head of Movie & TV, Pinky Promise Movies
Documentary Shorts Competitors
Winner: In The Morning Solar directed by Serville Poblete
“This movie thoughtfully captures the pull of returning to a spot as soon as referred to as house. The superbly crafted imagery reveals a household story stuffed with humor, worry and coronary heart. With honesty and care, it balances the lightness of childhood with the burden of loss, shaping a movie that feels intimate, clear, and deeply human.”
Particular Jury Award: Eructation directed by Victoria Trow
“A enjoyable, informative, breath of recent air that’s visually playful and encourages sonic curiosity. This movie is a unusual character examine that demonstrates ambition will be utilized to even probably the most obscure pursuits. Pleasant and stunning.”
Documentary Quick Competitors Jury: Opal H. Bennett, Senior Producer, POV, and Government Producer, POV Shorts; Anna Klein, Director of Documentary Programming, HBO; Alexis Galfas, Supervisor, Cinetic Media
Animated Shorts Competitors
Winner: Paper Path directed by Don Hertzfeldt
“Beginning, as an artist should, on a clean web page, the filmmaker takes us on an especially intimate journey in a completely novel means. To look at the protagonist develop throughout a lifetime – by nothing however his scribbles – is visceral, nostalgic, and emotional. It’s unimaginable for the viewers to not be transported into their very own reminiscences, hopes, and fears.”
Particular Jury Award: Hag directed by Anna Ginsburg
“The one phrase that each one the jurors stored repeating for this quick was VOICE. This story is each relatable and completely bonkers in one of the simplest ways, due to the craftsmanship and auteurship of the filmmaker. Its zany, high-wire humor is matched by sharp deliberate inventive selections that by no means lose sight of character. We might be excited to rewatch this movie again and again.”
Animated Quick Competitors Jury: Ellen Willis Brenner, Artistic Government, Netflix Animation Studios; Adrian Molina, Director, Pixar Animation Studios; and Kirsten Lepore, Director and Animator
Midnight Quick Competitors
Winner: Tongue directed by Lim Da seul
“Providing a pointy, satirical style of a spouse struggling underneath the nonstop speaking of her mansplaining husband, the director pulls us totally into the spouse’s distinctive perspective with out her uttering a single phrase, relying as an alternative on a formidable rating, meticulous sound design, and skilled appearing. The movie calls for our consideration, marking Lim as a significant new voice whose transition into characteristic filmmaking can’t come quickly sufficient.”
Particular Jury Award: Man Consuming Pussy directed by Emily Lawson
“For this particular Avant-garde prize, we honor a piece of uncompromising audacity that ventures far out to ship a imaginative and prescient as imaginative because it unapologetic. A conceptually daring, daring, and visceral quick that lingers lengthy after the credit roll. With its beautiful mise-en-scène, the movie strikes a decadent stability between lowbrow provocation and high-art sophistication. It shocked us and left us laughing uncomfortably in all the most effective methods.”
Midnight Quick Competitors Jury: Rebekah McKendry, PhD, Professor of Cinematic Arts on the College of Southern California; Adam Hendricks, Co-Founder, Divide/Conquer; and Dana Gills Mycoo, EVP of Manufacturing & Improvement, Monkeypaw Productions
Texas Quick Competitors
Winner: Forcefield of Love directed by Liz Moskowitz and Riley Engemoen
“This movie captivates by the vibrancy of its characters and an revolutionary, imaginative strategy to storytelling. Balancing intimacy, fact, and authenticity, it reveals a deeply human seek for an unconditional, nonjudgmental love that we will all aspire to.”
Particular Jury Award for Standout Ensemble: Stalin Boys directed by Ora DeKornfeld and Bianca Giaever
“Inside this distinctive coming-of-age story, a gaggle of inspiring college students navigate an evolving academic panorama with creativeness and braveness. What emerges is one thing boldly exterior the field but deeply private—an exploration of id by artwork that displays a technology desirous to be taught past the boundaries of textbooks. Ultimately, Malachi, Cayden, Jurem, and Lyric stole our hearts.”
Texas Quick Competitors Jury: Ryan McQuade, Government Editor, AwardsWatch; Seckeita Lewis, Co-founder, Lewis Taylor Productions; and Andrew Logan, Screenwriter, Producer and Journalist
Music Video Competitors
Winner: Rawayana and Bomba Estereo – ‘Fogata’ directed by Paola Ossa
“By means of its nuanced, inventive strategy, this video conveys a way of emotion that’s highly effective and honest. A stunning narrative unfolds by the director’s selection of pictures, cinematography, and sound design. The actors’ performances really feel understated and pure, leaving the viewer invested within the connection between the characters. A chic instance of much less being extra, and artwork working by many small moments to realize one thing common.”
Particular Jury Award: Doechii – ‘Nervousness’ directed by James Mackel
“This music video is an instance of each component of filmmaking firing on all engines. Each selection is intentional, the place all the idea works brilliantly with the tune’s theme of navigating neurosis born from psychological chaos with out being heavy-handed. A real collaboration between a magnetic artist placing her vulnerability on show and a director who is ready to convey a hanging imaginative and prescient to life.”
Music Video Competitors Jury: Marc Fort, Radio Producer, Host and DJ, KUTX 98.9, KUT Information, and KOOP 91.7; Warren Fu, Music Video Director; and Julyssa Lopez, Deputy Music Editor, Rolling Stone
INDEPENDENT TV PILOT COMPETITION
Winner: In My Blood from Showrunner and Director Alex Bendo
“Pushed by exact storytelling, stellar cinematography and a visceral sound design, this genre-bending pilot takes us on a ugly journey that explores the obsessive nature in pursuit of perfection. In a grounded world, with twisted household dynamics, a riveting thriller to unfold and buried secrets and techniques to disclose for episodes to return, we’re thrilled to current the jury award to In My Blood.”
Particular Jury Award: Son of a Bikram from Showrunners and Screenwriters Ash T and Johnny Rey Diaz and Director Johnny Rey Diaz
“This distinctive spin on cultural id disaster takes its viewer right into a surreal and weird universe the place it is best to by no means meet your heroes. For mixing drama and comedy and infusing it with distinct and memorable characters Particular Jury recognition goes to Son of a Bikram.”
Impartial TV Pilot Jury: Kat Candler, Author, Director and Producer; Billy Luther, Author and Director; and Lindsey Villarreal, Author and Director
XR EXPERIENCE COMPETITION
Winner: Physique Proxy by Danny Cannizzaro and Samantha Gorman
“This undertaking impressed the jury with its exemplary use of AI in service of actually revolutionary storytelling. Playful, sharp, and extremely authentic, it was a kind of uncommon works that’s instantly enjoyable whereas persevering with to echo afterwards.”
Particular Jury Award: The Forgotten Warfare by Hayoun Kwon
“By means of embodiment and testimony, this undertaking reminds us that conflict leaves each physique marked and each nation with wounds that may stay open for generations. For its highly effective and deeply human use of immersive multiplayer storytelling, the jury is proud to award the Particular Jury Prize to The Forgotten Warfare.”
XR Expertise Jury: Katayoun Dibamehr, Producer; Fred Volhuer, Government and Co-Founder, Atlas V; and Michele Ziegler, Government Director, NewImages
AUDIENCE AWARDS
HEADLINER
Winner: Over Your Useless Physique
Director: Jorma Taccone, Producers: Kelly McCormick, David Leitch, Lee Kim, Man Danella, Nick Spicer, Aram Tertzakian, Screenwriters: Nick Kocher, Brian McElhaney
Winner: Plantman & Blondie: A Gown Up Gang Movie
Director: Robb Boardman, Producers: Mark Ankner, Robb Boardman, Cory Loykasek, Donny Divanian, Frankie Quinones, Jay Patumanoan, Adam Karm, Ben Wagner, Screenwriters: Robb Boardman, Cory Loykasek, Donny Divanian, Frankie Quinones
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION
Winner: The Ascent
Administrators: Edward Drake, Scott Veltri, Francis Cronin, Producers: Edward Drake, Scott Veltri
NARRATIVE SPOTLIGHT
Winner: Campeón Gabacho
Director: Jonás Cuarón, Producers: Gabriela Rodríguez, Alfonso Cuarón, Jonás Cuarón, Nicolás Celis, Screenwriters: Jonás Cuarón, Aura Xilonen
DOCUMENTARY SPOTLIGHT
Winner: Ceremony
Director/Producer: Banchi Hanuse
MIDNIGHTER
Winner: By no means After Darkish
Director/Screenwriter: Dave Boyle, Producers: Dave Boyle, Kento Kaku, Kosuke Tsutsumi
VISIONS
Winner: Daughters of the Forest
Director/Screenwriter: Otilia Portillo Padua, Producers: Paula Arroio, Elena Fortes, Otilia Portillo Padua
GLOBAL
Winner: Mickey
Director: Dano García, Producers: Dano García, Indira Cato, Joceline Hernandez, Alejandra Guevara Castillo, Christian Giraud, Screenwriters: Dano García, Tonatiuh Israel
24 BEATS PER SECOND
Winner: Noah Kahan: Out of Physique
Director: Nick Sweeney, Producers: Samantha Mustari, Dave Sirulnick, Stacey Reiss, Ryan Kroft, Vaughn Trudeau, Anna Keegan, David Blackman, Jeff Ludwig, Devon Libran
FESTIVAL FAVORITE
Winner: Cookie Queens
Director: Alysa Nahmias, Producers: Gregory Kershaw, Michael Dweck, Alysa Nahmias, Jennifer Sims
NARRATIVE SHORT COMPETITION
Winner: We Had been Right here
Director/Screenwriter: Pranav Bhasin, Producer: Yash Gonsai
DOCUMENTARY SHORT COMPETITION
Winner: I Received My Brother
Director: Victor Ok. Gabriel, Producer: Rachel Earnest
ANIMATED SHORT COMPETITION
Winner: Paper Path
Director/Producer/Screenwriter: Don Hertzfeldt
MIDNIGHT SHORT COMPETITION
Winner: The Seeing Eye Canine Who Noticed Too A lot
Director/Screenwriter: Eric Jackowitz, Producer: Colton Mastro
TEXAS SHORT COMPETITION
Winner: Stalin Boys
Administrators: Ora DeKornfeld, Bianca Giaever, Producers: Alejandra Vasquez, Ora DeKornfeld, Bianca Giaever
MUSIC VIDEO COMPETITION
Winner: OK Go – ‘Love‘
Administrators: Aaron Duffy, Miguel Espada, Damian Kulash
TV PREMIERE
Winner: Monsters of God
Showrunner: Jeremy McBride, Director: Eric Goode, Producers: Tom Petersen, James Liu, Callie Barlow, Lissa Rivera, Charles Divak, Adrienne Gits, Daniel Johnson, Screenwriters: Jeremy McBride, Eric Goode, Tom Petersen
TV SPOTLIGHT
Winner: Woodstockers
Showrunner: Corbin Bernsen, Director: Oliver Bernsen, Producer: Zoe Rosenberg,
Screenwriters: Corbin Bernsen, Joshua Michael Stern, Henry Bernsen
INDEPENDENT TV PILOT COMPETITION
Winner: Start is For P*ssies
Showrunner/Screenwriter: Hannah Shealy, Administrators: Hannah Shealy, Celine Sutter, Producer: Celine Sutter
XR EXPERIENCE COMPETITION
Winner: Fabula Rasa: Useless Man Speaking
Administrators: Luiza Justus, Marcelo Marcati, Producer: Erika Nakayama, Screenwriters: Eduardo Nicolau, Pedro Penna
XR EXPERIENCE SPOTLIGHT
Winner: The Clouds Are Two Thousand Meters Up
Director: Singing Chen, Producers: Singing CHEN, SUNG Chin-Hsuan, Screenwriters: Singing CHEN, LOU Yi-An
SPECIAL AWARDS
Agog Immersive Influence Award
Designed to “encourage creators and changemakers to make use of XR for good,” the Agog Immersive Influence Award acknowledges tasks that assist us all think about and work towards a extra simply and sustainable world.
Winner: A Lengthy Goodbye directed by Kate Voet and Victor Maes
“This undertaking moved the jury with its hauntingly stunning portrayal of affection and reminiscence on the fringe of disappearance. By inserting us within the characters’ sneakers, it makes use of VR with nice sensitivity to make the expertise of dementia intimate, tender, and deeply human. For its highly effective inventive imaginative and prescient and lasting emotional affect, the jury is proud to award the Influence Prize to A Lengthy Goodbye.”
Inexperienced Lens Award
The Inexperienced Lens Award honors the TV or Movie undertaking that “greatest displays our altering world, the human expertise of dwelling by the age of local weather change, or pathways to a extra sustainable future.”
Winner: Plantman & Blondie: A Gown Up Gang Movie directed by Robb Boardman
“A refreshingly inventive reflection on connection, duty, and what it means to look after the world round us, this movie makes use of humor and absurdity to discover our relationship with nature and the facility it has to convey us collectively. The story’s contrasts sharpen its environmental themes. The movie highlights the quiet however significant act of nurturing life, reminding us that even small gestures of care can problem apathy and spark change. We hope comedies like this encourage creatives to tackle a ‘Inexperienced Lens’ of their tales throughout any style, in order that the way forward for local weather and environmental content material can proceed to narrate to a broad viewers with laughter, love, and a few actually loopy capers.”
Janet Pierson Champion Award
Winner: Benjamin Wiessner
“The Janet Pierson Champion Award highlights somebody with an unbiased spirit, a collaborative nature, and a valiant supporter of the unbiased movie ecosystem. This yr’s recipient is prolific producer Benjamin Wiessner, whose excellent work ethic and clear ardour matches all the standards after which some.”
Neon Auteur Award
Winner: The Peril at Pincer Level directed by Jake Kuhn and Noah Stratton-Twine
“It’s a miracle when any film is made, but it surely’s notably miraculous when a film is so quixotic and singular that it one way or the other feels prefer it’s prepared itself into existence as you’re watching it. That’s actually the case with Jake Kuhn and Noah Stratton-Twine’s The Peril at Pincer Level, a very great discovery at this yr’s competition.”
Redbreast Unhidden Award
An honor “championing the invention of daring and authentic tales.” It’s meant to acknowledge “an unbiased quick filmmaker whose work brings recent views to the display screen.”
Winner: We Had been Right here directed by Pranav Bhasin
“A intelligent and humorous perspective on the on a regular basis infiltration of expertise into our lives. The story is splendidly easy, but manages to ask huge questions on humanity, our relationship with expertise, and with one another. In simply 10 quick minutes, this director captures the stability between the absurd, the alarming, and the all-important energy of imperfect love. This filmmaker has a vibrant future forward of them!”
SXSW Better of Texas Award
Winner: Phases directed by Ryan Sales space
“Ryan Sales space’s Phases is each a heartfelt tribute to what it takes to endure in an typically unforgiving trade, and a shifting portrait of life as an artist in and round Texas. It’s stuffed with complicated emotion, shifting music, and a deep admiration for the Lone Star State.”
Vimeo Employees Choose
Winner: Mantis Stream! Like & Subscribe directed by Lincoln Robisch and Sarah Maerten (CLUSTERF*CK!)
“A disturbing downward spiral into the underworld of the web, this movie is a coronary heart assault, a kink-fest, and a funeral for our consideration span multi function. We applaud the best way it holds up a mirror to the human choreography of disgrace on-line that’s the unbearable, relentless pursuit of recognition and fame whereas by no means shedding its savage comedian nerve.”
Movie & TV tasks receiving Jury Awards have been chosen from the Narrative Function and Documentary Function Competitors classes, plus all different juried sections, together with Shorts, Impartial TV Pilots, Music Movies, Poster Design and XR Expertise Awards. Particular Awards introduced embrace the Agog Immersive Influence Award, Inexperienced Lens Award, Janet Pierson Champion Award, Neon Auteur Award, Redbreast Unhidden Award, SXSW Better of Texas Award and the Vimeo Employees Choose.
