AUSTIN, Texas – South by Southwest (SXSW) is undergoing a significant restructuring for its 2026 iteration, scheduled to run from to in Austin, Texas. The festival is moving away from its traditional reliance on the Austin Convention Center, opting instead for a more decentralized “SXSW Village” spread across downtown venues.
This shift, described by organizers as a return to the festival’s roots, will center around three “Clubhouses” dedicated to Music, Film & TV, and Innovation. Key venues including the Paramount Theatre, Fairmont, JW Marriott, Omni, Thompson, Marriott Downtown, Hilton Austin, and The LINE will serve as anchors for the expanded footprint. The aim is to create a more walkable and accessible experience for attendees, reducing the need for extensive travel between events.
For the first time, the Music, Film & TV, and Innovation components of SXSW will all take place concurrently over a seven-day period. This unified schedule is intended to foster cross-disciplinary engagement and discovery, encouraging attendees to explore programming outside their primary areas of interest. Organizers have adopted the theme “All Together Now” to reflect this integrated approach.
The change in venue comes as the Austin Convention Center is no longer being utilized for the festival. The new format promises a more immersive experience, placing Austin’s vibrant cultural landscape at the heart of the event. Music showcases will be held nightly in Austin’s established venues, while film and television premieres and screenings will occur throughout the week. The Innovation programming will cover a range of topics including artificial intelligence, culture, startups, the creator economy, climate change, and marketing.
The 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival will open with the premiere of “I Love Boosters,” directed by Boots Riley. Other feature films slated for screening include “Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice” by BenDavid Grabinski, “Over Your Dead Body” by Jorma Taccone, “Pretty Lethal” by Vicky Jewson, “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come” by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, and “They Will Kill You” by Kirill Sokolov. A competitive section will showcase films such as “Brian Will Ropp,” “Edie Arnold is a Loser,” “Mallory’s Ghost,” “Plantman & Blondie: A Dress Up Gang Film,” “Seahorse,” “The Snake,” and “Wishful Thinking.” Documentary features include “The Ascent,” “The Last Critic,” “The Life We Leave,” “My NDA,” “Phoenix Jones: The Rise and Fall of a Real Life Superhero,” “Stormbound,” and “Summer 2000: The X-Cetra Story.”
Beyond the official festival selections, a separate event, “SHOW SOLO PARA MUJERES” (Show Only for Women), is scheduled for , at Ricky’s Mariscos y Mas in Austin. This event, described as an exclusive entertainment experience, will offer music and entertainment specifically geared towards a female audience. Tickets are currently on sale through Ticketon, with VIP table options available for groups of four. The event is restricted to those aged 18, and over.
The SXSW Film & TV Festival’s Narrative Feature Competition will include films from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Documentary Feature Competition will feature works from the United States and Canada. A Narrative Spotlight section will also showcase a selection of films. The festival’s lineup is subject to change, according to organizers.
The restructuring of SXSW reflects a broader effort to revitalize the festival experience and reconnect with its original spirit. By decentralizing the event and integrating its various components, organizers hope to create a more dynamic and engaging environment for attendees. The condensed seven-day schedule and walkable village format are intended to enhance accessibility and encourage exploration, placing the focus back on the city of Austin and the diverse range of programming on offer.
The SXSW Conference & Festivals, now in its 2026 edition, continues to be a significant platform for emerging talent and innovative ideas across the creative industries. The changes implemented for this year’s event signal a commitment to adapting to the evolving needs of attendees and reaffirming SXSW’s position as a leading cultural event.
