SxSW Coverage: Wrap Up

Published by Jeff Leins on March 21, 2009

After nine straight days of movies and panels, the South by Southwest Film Festival ended tonight.  I’m physically exhausted after making my way all over Austin to cover world premieres and dynamic discussions, but it was definitely worth it.

The festival officially ended on Tuesday and the winners were already announced, but I continued to see films for the rest of the week, including tonight’s Paramount Theater premiere of 500 Days of Summer.

I said on day one that these were my people, and after spending over a week with them it couldn’t be more true.  It was a packed assembly of socially awkward people forced to attempt conversations between screenings.  These are cinephiles who spend hours sitting in a dark room staring straight ahead and they’re expected to stand in line with one another or mingle at parties.  I felt confident for mere minutes flashing my laminate around like I was somebody until anyone else talked to me.  Then I crumbled into painful responses like, “Yeah, it was good” or “Me no likey” as if the popcorn fumes rotted my brain to a Neanderthal level.

Plus I’m sure I’ll soon regret my giddy excitement on the red carpet or star gazing at famous people.  I geeked out over Jon Favreau and beamed at Sam Raimi.  I was snapping iPhone pictures while trying to text who I had just seen.  What a professional.

But my embarrassing moments when the lights were on didn’t subtract from what a great experience I had at the festival.  It was the most fun I’ve had watching movies and I can’t wait to see what will premiere at next year’s SxSW.