SXSW Film Premieres Include Jon Favreau's 'Chef,' 'Neighbors' And 'Veronica Mars'

by UInterviewMarch 7, 2014, 12:00 am >

SXSW kicks off the film festival portion of the event Friday night with Chef, a film from Iron Man director and actor Jon Favreau. Favreau directs and stars in this film about a chef who quits his job at a restaurant and ends up opening a food truck. The film co-stars Dustin Hoffman, Sofia Vergara and John Leguizamo. Favreau will also participate in a conversation on the film and his career on Sunday, March 9.

Other Friday premieres include Kelly & Cat, a new comedy-drama staring Juliette Lewis and Jason Bateman’s Bad Words.

Veronica Mars, arguably one of the most anticipated films premiering at SXSW, will hold its big world premiere Saturday, March 8. The fan-funded, Kickstarter flick is sure to make headlines among festival goers and Marshmallows (fans of the show).

Space Station 76, a comedy staring Patrick Wilson, Liv Tyler and Matt Bomer will have its world premiere on Saturday, March 8. The film, which marks actor Jack Plotnick’s directorial debut, is about a group of people living on a space station, as envisioned in the 1970s.

May The Best Man Win from director Andrew O’Connor is also making its world premiere at SXSW on Saturday, March 8. The comedy is about two friends obsessed with viral pranks who get into a prank war over female prankster, Rosa, and is filmed in a mock-documentary style. Based on the trailer, movie-goers can expect a mix between Catfish and Jackass.

The Heart Machine from director Zachary Wigon will premiere Saturday. The film explores a long distance relationship that begins online and stars John Gallagher Jr. and Kate Lyn Sheil.

Also premiering Saturday is Creep, a new thriller from Paranormal Activity producer, Jason Blum, staring Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice.

Big Significant Things is another must-see film showing three times at SXSW. The coming of age comedy, director Bryan Reisberg’s feature debut, follows Craig (Harry Lloyd), a 26-year-old who, about to embark on a new, adult life, takes off on a road trip by himself visiting the World’s Largest Bucket and other big landmarks.

Another highly anticipated SXSW film is the comedy Frank, starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Fassbender and Domhnall Gleeson. Frank will be screened three times during the SXSW festival starting Monday, March 10.

In a festival boasting well over 200 films there are certainly many more to get excited about, including Diego Luna’s English language directorial debut, Cesar Chavez, and the premiere of the Seth Rogan, Zac Efron comedy, Neighbors. Neighbors premieres Saturday, March 8. The film will also celebrate its upcoming wide release with a Frat party on Sunday, March 9.