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STOP TIME – A Review by Jenn Rohm

Grief is an emotion most of us have experienced and many films create the feeling of grief using different techniques with sound, lighting, and script.  Few films focus on grief, and even fewer take it to the point where grief is almost a character in and of itself.  Stop Time, written and directed by Paul Schwartz is one such piece.

Peter De Vries, Nelson Avidon, is working his way through the sadness of having lost his wife.  Other than moments when he is thinking of moments involving her, his life has lost color.  Adrianna Maier is a divorcee who has just recently received some information about her life prior to her adoption, before she was three years old.  Their mutual friends Mason, Eddie Kehler, and Carla, Judy Jerome, have decided the two should meet that night at the after-party they are hosting for Peter’s new gallery show.  Covering 24 hours of their lives until they meet, we learn more about them and see bits of New York City along the way.

I am not normally a fan of slow pacing; however, this film has changed my mind.  For this story, the pacing was just right.  With most of the film in black and white, a few moments in sepia tone, and slightly more vivid Super 8 when Peter is thinking of his wife, it supported the experience of life, where the known (in the film) photographer was emotionally and mentally.  Avidon’s expressions, movements, and way of speaking all supported the emotional roller coaster he was surviving.  This was being balanced against Adrianna being further along with the healing process post-divorce and able to focus on new information from her very early childhood that had come to light.  She is also starting a new lighting design project at a smaller off-off-Broadway theater, which is giving her something to look forward to.  Maier provided a mostly confident woman who was open to learn more about her past.

With both main characters having careers that involve lighting and shadow, the decision to use black and white for most of the film adds another layer of depth.  Not only does this allow the audience to feel the weight of emotion, but it also symbolizes how they view the world, creating a deeper connection.

While I was watching, the world outside had come to a stop as well due to winter weather in the south.  The eerie silence added to the stillness and calm that the characters portrayed.

Keep your eyes out for other film festivals where this can be seen, or for it to be picked up for distribution.

 

Director: Paul Schwartz

Cast: Nelson Avidon, Tara Westwood, Patty McCormack, Kelly Deadman, Christina Toth, and Catherine Quirico

Selig Rating:  4 stars

Runtime: 1h 18m

Premier: Dances With Film New York – January 17, 2026, currently on festival circuit

Genre(s): Drama

 

The Selig Rating Scale:

5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.

4 Stars – Good movie/show

3 Stars – OK movie/show

2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…

1 Star – Total waste of time.

SXSW FILM & TV FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 50+ ADDITIONS TO 2026 SLATE

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South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference and Festivals unveiled today an additional wave of stellar programming for the upcoming 33rd edition of the Film & TV Festival, spanning March 12–18, 2026.

The 54 additional projects bring the line up to 107 Features including 82 World Premieres, 1 International Premiere, 5 North American Premieres, 6 U.S. Premieres, 12 Texas Premieres + 52 Short Films and 20 Music Videos. The TV Program includes 12 TV projects, with 4 TV premieres, 2 TV Spotlight and 6 Independent TV Pilots. There are 31 projects in the XR Experience Program, including 17 in XR Experience Competition, 13 in XR Experience Spotlight and 1 XR Experience Special Event.
“We’re thrilled to share more of our 2026 lineup,” said Claudette Godfrey, VP Film & TV. “We’ve assembled an extraordinary range of voices and visions: bold new filmmakers, high-profile studio premieres, gripping series, powerful documentaries, and stunning international cinema. Every year, I’m blown away by the caliber of talent that chooses SXSW to share their work and 2026 is no exception. These projects push boundaries, take risks, and demand to be seen live and in person. The magic of SXSW is our community and we’re counting down the days until we come together and celebrate with the most engaged, enthusiastic crowds around. See you in Austin!

SXSW brings together thousands of fans, creators, press, and industry leaders from around the world to celebrate inventive storytelling, cultural discovery, and boundary-pushing screen experiences. The event showcases the year’s most innovative and entertaining films, television, and XR projects, alongside hundreds of Conference Sessions, Music and Comedy Showcases, Creative Industry Exhibitions, Mentoring opportunities, Meetups, and Special Events that define SXSW as a premier cross-industry gathering.

Screening Categories

Feature films in the SXSW 2026 lineup screen in the following categories: Headliner; Narrative Feature Competition presented by Kickstarter; Documentary Feature Competition; Narrative Spotlight; Documentary Spotlight; Visions; Midnighter; Global presented by MUBI; 24 Beats Per Second, and Festival Favorite.

The TV program consists of TV Premiere, TV Spotlight, and the Independent TV Pilot Competition. The SXSW 2026 Shorts Film Program presented by Vimeo will consist of six competitive sections: Narrative Short Competition, Documentary Short Competition, Animated Short Competition, Midnight Short Competition, Texas Short Competition, and Music Video Competition. The XR Experience presented by Spectacles consists of the XR Experience Competition, XR Spotlight and XR Special Event programming rounds out the Film & TV Festival program. All Categories will be eligible for section-specific Audience Awards.

FILM PROGRAM

HEADLINER

Big names, big talent featuring red carpet premieres and gala film events with major and rising names in cinema.

Pretty Lethal (United Kingdom)

Director: Vicky Jewson, Producers: Kelly McCormick, Mike Karz, William Bindley, Piers Tempest, Screenwriter: Kate Freund

An action-packed thriller where five ballerinas, stranded in a remote forest, take shelter at an unsettling roadside inn. They must weaponize years of brutal training, turning grace, discipline, and even pointe shoes into tools for survival. Cast: Iris Apatow, Lana Condor, Millicent Simmonds, Avantika, Maddie Ziegler, Uma Thurman (World Premiere)

NARRATIVE SPOTLIGHT

Unforgettable features receiving their World, North American, or U.S. premieres.

Anima

Director/Screenwriter: Brian Tetsuro Ivie, Producers: Harrison Allen, Brian Tetsuro Ivie, Chloe Rahal, Alexander Lycette, Jason Pamer, Brev Moss

A young woman and an old man embark on a road trip to preserve his consciousness at an experimental facility. Cast: Sydney Chandler, Takehiro Hira, Marin Ireland, Lili Taylor, Maria Dizzia, Tom McCarthy, Emil Wakim, Maximilian Lee Piazza (World Premiere)

Basic

Director/Screenwriter: Chelsea Devantez, Producers: Marc Platt, Katie McNicol, Nadine De Barros

Gloria spirals through her boyfriend’s dating history, until she discovers the reason for all of their problems, his very basic, very hot ex, Kaylinn, who not only just stole Gloria’s boyfriend, but is about to take her entire story from her, too. Cast: Ashley Park, Leighton Meester, Taylor John Smith, Nelson Franklin, Kandy Muse, Ashley Nicole Black, Kenzie Elizabeth, Amber Ruffin, Jon Gabrus, Georgia Mishak (World Premiere)

Beast Race (Corrida dos Bichos) (Brazil)

Directors: Ernesto Solis, Rodrigo Pesavento, Fernando Meirelles, Producers: Fernando Meirelles, Andrea Barata Ribeiro, Vinicio Espinosa, Screenwriters: Ernesto Solis, Rodrigo Lages, Eva Klaver, Marco Abujamra

In the ruins of a dystopian Rio de Janeiro—a city fractured by class conflict and addicted to blood sport—a resistance leader is forced to enter a violent, high-stakes race to save his sister from a fate worse than death. Cast: Matheus Abreu, Rodrigo Santoro, Isis Valverde, Bruno Gagliasso, Thainá Duarte, Seu Jorge, Silvero Pereira, João Guilherme, Grazi Massafera, Anitta (World Premiere)

Chili Finger

Directors: Edd Benda, Stephen Helstad, Producers: Sam Sandweiss, Jo Henriquez, Screenwriter: Stephen Helstad

When a small town lawyer discovers a severed finger in her chili, she blackmails the restaurant for a cash payout in an effort to regain control over her mundane life. The situation quickly spirals out of control, and her life descends into chaos. Cast: Judy Greer, Sean Astin, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Madeline Wise, Paul Stanko, Sarah Herrman, Sara Sevigny, Dann Florek (World Premiere)

Crash Land (Canada)

Director/Screenwriter: Dempsey Bryk, Producers: Billy Bryk, Finn Wolfhard, Julian Geneen, Dempsey Bryk

Two amateur stuntmen try to make a “real movie” to prove their lives have meaning. They crash and burn. Cast: Gabriel LaBelle, Finn Wolfhard, Billy Bryk, Noah Parker, Abby Quinn (World Premiere)

Dreamquil

Director: Alex Prager, Producers: Elizabeth Banks, Max Handelman, Alison Small, Vincent Landay, Michael Mendelsohn, Screenwriters: Alex Prager, Vanessa Prager

Set in the near future, a woman returning from a virtual retreat discovers her worst nightmare when the helper robot sent to assist her family in her absence starts to infringe on her life and identity. Cast: Elizabeth Banks, John C. Reilly, Juliette Lewis, Sofia Boutella, Kathryn Newton, Lamorne Morris, Toby Larsen, Anna Marie Dobbins (World Premiere)

He Bled Neon

Director: Drew Kirsch, Producers: Nate Bolotin, Lucan Toh, Screenwriters: Tim Cairo, Jake Gibson

After discovering his brother’s death by overdose may have actually been a murder, Ethan returns to a world he left behind—the underbelly of Las Vegas—uncovering a web of corruption and his own appetite for violence. Cast: Joe Cole, Rita Ora, Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Paul Wesley, Josh Holloway (World Premiere)

Kill Me

Director/Screenwriter: Peter Warren, Producers: Nate Bolotin, Keith Goldberg, Natalie Metzger, Maxime Cottray, Mike Richardson, Charlie Day, Peter Warren

Jimmy didn’t try to kill himself. Or at least, he’s pretty sure he didn’t… With the help of a reluctant 911 operator, he sets out on a darkly comedic amateur investigation to solve whether he is being stalked by a killer or chasing himself. Cast: Charlie Day, Allison Williams, Giancarlo Esposito, Aya Cash, Jessica Harper, David Krumholtz, Tony Cavalero (World Premiere)

Normal

Director: Ben Wheatley, Producers: Marc Provissiero, Derek Kolstad, Bob Odenkirk, Screenwriter: Derek Kolstad

Director Ben Wheatley and John Wick creator Derek Kolstad pit a provisional sheriff against his constituents when the exposure of a small town’s sordid secret sparks a rip-roaring firefight. Cast: Bob Odenkirk, Henry Winkler, Lena Headey, Ryan Allen, Billy MacLellan, Brendan Fletcher, Reena Jolly, Peter Shinkoda, Jess McLeod, Derek Barnes (U.S. Premiere)

Poetic License

Director: Maude Apatow, Producers: Judd Apatow, Josh Church, Benjamin Hung, Thalia Daniel, Maude Apatow, Olivia Rosenbloom, Will Greenfield, Screenwriter: Raffi Donatich

Maude Apatow’s sharp and heartfelt debut feature, Poetic License follows a middle aged mother Liz, as she becomes the unexpected point of tension between Sam and Ari, two inseparable best friends and college seniors. Cast: Leslie Mann, Cooper Hoffman, Andrew Barth Feldman (U.S. Premiere)

Same Same But Different

Director: Lauren Noll, Producers: Dalia Rooni, Lauren Noll, Zein Khleif, Medalion Rahimi, Emily Reach White, Screenwriter: Dalia Rooni

An Iranian immigrant agrees to marry her boss’s son to stay in the U.S., but their simple green card wedding on Cape Cod gets complicated when her two Iranian best friends arrive with their own American boyfriends and cross-cultural baggage in tow. Cast: Medalion Rahimi, Logan Miller, Layla Mohammadi, Dalia Rooni, Richie Moriarty, Michael Baszler, Danielle Pinnock, Lauren Noll, Nicholas Coombe, Kevin Nealon, Joey Lauren Adams (World Premiere)

The Saviors

Director: Kevin Hamedani, Producers: Matt Smith, Dan Gedman, Nicholas Weinstock, Naomi Scott, Adam Scott, Divya D’Souza, Bradley Gallo, Michael Helfant, Screenwriters: Kevin Hamedani, Travis Betz

An estranged couple rents out their Airbnb, but soon start to suspect their guests might be plotting something nefarious. As the couple investigates, they rekindle their relationship and discover something stranger than they could have imagined. Cast: Adam Scott, Danielle Deadwyler, Theo Rossi, Kate Berlant, Nazanin Boniadi, Daveed Diggs, Ron Perlman, Colleen Camp, Greg Kinnear (World Premiere)

Sparks

Director/Screenwriter: Fergus Campbell, Producer: Lola Lafia

Urban legend has it that a Nevada reservoir is a time portal—the tease of which is enough to keep life exciting for the Crop, an aimless but spirited group of teenage best friends, until Cleo moves to town hell-bent on reaching 1960s Paris. Cast: Elsie Fisher, Charlie B. Foster, Denny McAuliffe, Madison Hu, Simon Downes Toney, Thomas Deen Baker, Julia D’Angelo (World Premiere)

Ugly Cry

Director/Screenwriter: Emily Robinson, Producers: Sophia Sabella, Pablo Feldman, Jolene Mendes, Rhianon Jones, Tristan Scott-Behrends, Emily Robinson

An actor loses their dream role because of their “ugly cry” causing them to spiral down the dark and dangerous path to perfection. Cast: Emily Robinson, Ryan Simpkins, Aaron Dominguez, Robin Tunney (World Premiere)

DOCUMENTARY SPOTLIGHT

Incredible features receiving their World, North American, or U.S. premieres.

Cornbread Mafia

Directors: Evan Mascagni, Drew Morris, Producers: Trevor Kane, Merry-Kay Poe, Evan Mascagni, Screenwriters: Sam Wagstaff, Evan Mascagni

Cornbread Mafia is the true story of the rise and fall of Kentucky farmers who built the largest domestic marijuana syndicate in U.S. history. Part true crime, part cartoon, a whole lot of weed. (World Premiere)

The Dads

Director: Luchina Fisher, Producers: Stephen Chukumba, Luchina Fisher

As anti-trans legislation and hostility escalate in the United States, a group of dads, building a nascent movement to support their trans and gender expansive kids, are forced to make an impossible choice: stay and fight or flee the country. Featuring Stephen Chukumba, Wayne Maines, Ed Diaz, Christoph Heinzer, Jose Trujillo, Frank Gonzales, AC Goldberg (World Premiere)

First They Came for My College

Director: Patrick Bresnan, Producers: Holly Herrick, Harry W. Hanbury, Patrick Bresnan, Zackary Drucker, Screenwriters: Ivete Lucas, Leah Marino

When the Governor of Florida transforms a beloved public honors college in a political coup, students and professors confront a new reality: their campus is ground zero in a growing nation-wide assault on academic freedom. Featuring Gaby Batista, Joshua Janniere, Libby Harrity, Lindsey Jennings, Dylan Niner, Amy Reid (Texas Premiere)

I Got Bombed at Harvey’s

Directors: Amy Bandlien Storkel, Bryan Storkel, Producers: Bo Butterworth, Karen Bowlin

1,000 pounds of dynamite. $3 million in cash. One casino at the edge of disaster. (World Premiere)

Manhood

Director: Daniel Lombroso, Producers: Kerry Mack, Rebecca Shaid

Manhood follows Dallas businessman Bill Moore as he sets out to make penis enlargement as commonplace as Botox. Along the way, an OnlyFans star and a father of five put their bodies—and their insecurities—on the line. Featuring William Moore, David Smith, Ruben Ramirez (World Premiere)

One Another

Director: Amber Love, Producer: Andrea Raby

As three of the filmmaker’s loved ones confront the possible end of close friendships, One Another follows their life changes, heartaches, and attempts to reconnect as they find a way forward. (World Premiere)

Serling

Director: Jonah Tulis, Producers: Leonardo DiCaprio, Phillip Watson, Jennifer Davisson, Chad A. Verdi, Michelle Verdi, Paul Luba, Chad Verdi Jr, Blake J. Harris, Screenwriters: Jonah Tulis, Blake J. Harris

The definitive and authorized documentary on Rod Serling, the creator of the iconic Twilight Zone. Featuring Rod Serling (World Premiere)

Summer of ’94

Directors: Dave LaMattina, Chad Walker, Producers: Christopher Leggett, Rafael Marmor, Marc Gilbar, Dave LaMattina, Chad Walker

When the World Cup landed in the U.S. in 1994, it arrived in a country with no league, no culture, and no clue. A ragtag group of players faced an impossible task: don’t embarrass their nation in front of the entire world. (World Premiere)

The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah Wilson

Director: Marina Zenovich, Producer: Evan Hayes

An intimate, arresting portrait of cyclist Moriah Wilson—raised by a fierce, loving family—whose singular drive becomes her superpower, carrying her to athletic brilliance and, devastatingly, toward a life cut short by murder. (World Premiere)

Your Attention Please

Director: Sara Robin, Producers: Dan Kennedy, Sara Robin, Screenwriter: Jack LeMay

A quiet revolution is underway: As AI reshapes every part of our lives, ordinary people are pushing back against addictive tech. Your Attention Please asks whether we are willing to reclaim autonomy and human connection before it’s too late. Featuring Kristin Bride, Trisha Prabhu, The Offline Club, Kevin McCaskill, Tristan Harris, Cal Newport, Vivek Murthy, Sherry Turkle, Frances Haugen, Laura Marquez-Garrett (World Premiere)

MIDNIGHTER

Exciting after-dark features for genre lovers and the terminally curious.

Hokum (Ireland, United States)

Director/Screenwriter: Damian McCarthy, Producers: Roy Lee, Steven Schneider, Derek Dauchy, Ruth Treacy, Julianne Forde, Mairtín de Barra

When novelist Ohm Bauman retreats to a remote inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, he is consumed by tales of a witch haunting the honeymoon suite. Disturbing visions and a shocking disappearance forces him to confront dark corners of his past. Cast: Adam Scott, Peter Coonan, David Wilmot, Florence Ordesh, Will O’Connell, Michael Patric, Siox C, Brendan Conroy, Austin Amelio, Ezra Carlisle (World Premiere)

FESTIVAL FAVORITE

Acclaimed standouts from festivals around the world.

American Doctor (United States, Malaysia, Qatar, Denmark, Palestine)

Director: Poh Si Teng, Producers: Poh Si Teng, Kirstine Barfod, Reem Haddad

When three American doctors–Palestinian, Jewish and Zoroastrian–enter Gaza to save lives, they find themselves caught between medicine and politics, risking everything to expose the truth. Featuring Thaer Ahmad, Mark Pearlmutter, Feroze Sidhwa (Texas Premiere)

Buddy

Director: Casper Kelly, Producers: Tyler Davidson, Drew Sykes, Raphael Margules, J.D. Lifshitz, Tracy Rosenblum, Screenwriters: Casper Kelly, Jamie King

A brave girl and her friends must escape a kids television show. Cast: Cristin Milioti, Delaney Quinn, Topher Grace, Keegan-Michael Key, Michael Shannon, Patton Oswalt (Texas Premiere)

Leviticus (Australia)

Director/Screenwriter: Adrian Chiarella, Producers: Samantha Jennings, Kristina Ceyton, Hannah Ngo

Two teenage boys must escape a violent entity that takes the form of the person they desire most — each other. Cast: Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen, Mia Wasikowska, Jeremy Blewitt, Ewen Leslie, Davida McKenzie, Nicholas Hope, Zahra Newman (Texas Premiere)

The Oldest Person in the World

Director: Sam Green, Producers: Alison Byrne Fields, Josh Penn

A decade-long global journey chronicles the ever-changing record holders of the title of oldest person alive. What begins as a portrait of longevity becomes a meditation on the passage of time, fate, and the profound human experience of being alive. (Texas Premiere)

Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story

Directors: Judd Apatow, Neil Berkeley, Producers: Judd Apatow, Neil Berkeley, Amanda Rohlke, David Heiman

A raw exploration of comic Maria Bamford who mines her own pain for comedy, blurring the line between performance and personal crisis. (Texas Premiere)

Rock Springs

Director/Screenwriter: Vera Miao, Producers: Stephen Feder, Kiri Hart, Charles D. King, Poppy Hanks, Greta Talia Fuentes, Jason Michael Berman, Matthew Lindner, Jordan Moldo, Vera Miao

After the death of her father, a grieving young girl moves to an isolated house in a new town with her mother and grandmother, only to discover there is something monstrous hidden in the town’s history and the woods behind their new home. Cast: Kelly Marie Tran, Benedict Wong, Jimmy O. Yang, Aria Kim, Fiona Fu (Texas Premiere)

The Shitheads

Director/Screenwriter: Macon Blair, Producer: Alex Orr, Brandon James, Nathan Klingher, Ford Corbett, Mark Fasano, Joshua Harris, Macon Blair, Dave Franco

When two unqualified bozos are hired to transfer a rich teen to rehab, their straightforward gig quickly spirals into dangerous mayhem. Cast: Dave Franco, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Mason Thames, Peter Dinklage, Kiernan Shipka, Nicholas Braun, Killer Mike (Texas Premiere)

Time and Water (United States, Iceland)

Director: Sara Dosa, Producers: Shane Boris, Elijah Stevens, Jameka Autry, Sara Dosa

Facing the death of his country’s glaciers and the loss of his beloved grandparents, Icelandic writer Andri Snær Magnason turns his archives into a time capsule to hold what is slipping away — family, memory, time and water. (Texas Premiere)

VISIONS

Audacious, risk-taking artists who demonstrate innovation and creativity.

Bagworm

Director: Oliver Bernsen, Producer: Zoe Rosenberg, Screenwriter: Henry Bernsen

After a sexually frustrated hammer salesman steps on a rusty nail, he must determine whether the world’s sudden and violent turn against him is real or the result of an infection consuming his body and mind. Cast: Peter Falls, Michelle Ortiz, Robbie Arnett, Corbin Bernsen, Stephen Borrello, Jessy Morner-Ritt, Sydney Winbush, Francesca Galassi (North American Premiere)

Beyond The Duplex Planet

Director/Producer/Screenwriter: Beth Harrington

In 1979, artist David Greenberger’s talks with senior citizens become a word-of-mouth hit ‘zine, The Duplex Planet. Four decades on, now a senior himself, he has much to tell us about the nature of art, conversation and growing old. Featuring David Greenberger, Penn Jillette, Louie Perez, Ed Ruscha, Michael Stipe (World Premiere)

Dead Eyes (Australia)

Director/Producer/Screenwriter: Richard E. Williams

After the death of his sister, Sean ventures into a remote forest with his friends to find his missing father, only to discover his grief has become the bridge between the living and the dead. Cast: Ana Thu-Nguyen, Mischa Heywood, Rijen Laine, Charles Cottier, Alea O’Shea, Stephen Phillips, Freya Callaghan, Lewis Smith (World Premiere)

Perfect

Director: Millicent Hailes, Producers: Nathan Scherrer, Tara Sheree, Tyler Payne, Liz Cardenas, Douglas Riggs, Millicent Hailes, Screenwriters: Millicent Hailes, Kendra Miller

In a world devastated by a contaminated water supply, a wealthy pregnant woman living in a beautiful and shabby lakeside resort in the California mountains encounters a younger woman who is starting her life over. Cast: Julia Fox, Ashley Moore, Lío Mehiel, Micaela Wittman, Ryder McLaughlin, Kate Moennig, Creed Bratton (World Premiere)

The Peril at Pincer Point (United Kingdom)

Directors/Producers/Screenwriters: Jake Kuhn, Noah Stratton-Twine

On a quest to prove his competency, an inept sound recordist finds himself entangled in a nautical prophecy on the spectral island of Pincer Point. Cast: Jack Redmayne, Alyth Ross, Os Leanse, Mike Mackenzie, Dashiell Upton, Jason Hogan, Mat Wright, Noah Stratton-Twine, Isobel Laidler, Oliver Woolf (World Premiere)

24 BEATS PER SECOND

Vibrant films showcasing the sounds, culture, and influence of music and musicians.

A Cowboy in London

Director/Producer: Jared L. Christopher

A Cowboy in London captures country renegade Charley Crockett’s first solo shows in years – three sold-out London nights where nerves, chaos, and triumph collide in an unguarded portrait of a star on the brink of global fame. Featuring Charley Crockett, Taylor Day Grace-Crockett, Joe David Walters, Simon Slater (Texas Premiere)

Agridulce (Bittersweet) (United States, Dominican Republic)

Director: Frank Pavich, Producers: Benjamin de Menil, Monica de Moya

An intimate portrait of four children coming of age and the role of music in their journey. The children tell their stories through Bachata, a once proscribed music that has become the Dominican Republic’s primary cultural export. Featuring Edickson Garcia Disla, Frandy Direze, Orianny Bonilla, Yerian Castillo, Carmen Bonilla, Enrique Garcia Zapata, Jose Villa Castillo, Michiline Julien, Nativida Disla, Martires de Leon (World Premiere)

Jack Johnson: SURFILMUSIC

Director: Emmett Malloy, Producers: Daniel Pappas, Tim Wheeler, Wyatt Daily

This intimate documentary traces Johnson’s evolution from surfer to filmmaker to world-renowned musician. Rare archives and present-day reflections reveal how lived experience, friendship, & exploration shaped the sound & stories behind the music. Featuring Jack Johnson, Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Gerry Lopez, Chris Malloy, G. Love, Ben Harper, John Florence, Tamayo Perry, Kim Johnson (World Premiere)

Lainey Wilson: Keepin’ Country Cool

Director: Amy Scott, Producers: Angus Wall, Terry Leonard, Kent Kubena, Thomas Tull, Jillian Share, Jason Owen, Jen Gorton

Follow Wilson as she redefines the modern country star, proving that staying true to yourself can lead to major success. The film explores her personal journey, struggles, and triumphs as she captivates fans on stages across the country. (World Premiere)

Mile End Kicks (Canada)

Director/Screenwriter: Chandler Levack, Producers: Matthew Miller, Pat Kiely, Julie Groleau

A 24-year-old music critic gets romantically involved with members of an indie band she decides to publicize, set against Montreal’s indie music scene in 2011. Cast: Barbie Ferreira, Devon Bostick, Stanley Simons, Juliette Gariépy, Jay Baruchel (U.S. Premiere)

Noah Kahan: Out of Body

Director: Nick Sweeney, Producers: Samantha Mustari, Dave Sirulnick, Stacey Reiss, Ryan Kroft, Vaughn Trudeau, Anna Keegan, David Blackman, Jeff Ludwig, Devon Libran

As Stick Season propels Noah Kahan into global stardom, he faces the pressure of what comes next. Buoyed by his uncanny wit, he returns to his Vermont roots and family and confronts the personal struggles that have left him out of sync with himself. (World Premiere)

The Rise of the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Our Brother, Hillel

Director: Ben Feldman, Producer: Marc D’Agostino

An in-depth look at the formative years of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the profound influence of original guitarist, Hillel Slovak. The film explores the band’s early evolution in LA and the deep bonds forged through their friendship. (World Premiere)

GLOBAL Presented by MUBI

Artful international films, featuring premieres, festival favorites, and more.

Thank you to our sponsor, MUBI: the global streaming service, production company and film distributor dedicated to elevating great cinema, from iconic directors to emerging auteurs.

Apolo (Brazil)

Directors: Isis Broken, Tainá Müller, Producers: Bianca Villar, Eduardo Rezende, Fernando Fraiha, Henrique Sauer, Karen Castanho, Tainá Müller, Thiago Mascarenhas, Screenwriters: Tainá Müller, Tatiana Lohmann, Ísis Broken, Lourenzo Duvale

As we follow Apolo’s pregnancy, we reflect on the drama(s) of a transgender couple: Isis Broken and Lourenzo Gabriel. The father is giving birth — and society is not prepared for it. Featuring Lourenzo Duvale, Isis Broken, Apolo Duvale (International Premiere)

Thanks for Nothing (Germany)

Director/Screenwriter: Stella Marie Markert, Producers: Luc Vincent Hinrichsen, Marcos Kantis

Ok, what would you do if your best friend tries to kill herself, another one is being deported, the third is in a manic episode, the fourth has stopped speaking, and your social worker is unsuccessfully trying to cover it all up from child services? Cast: Lea Drinda, Sonja Weißer, Safinaz Sattar, Zoe Stein, Jan Bülow (North American Premiere)

TV PROGRAM

TV PREMIERE

World premieres of prestige TV series premieres from acclaimed showrunners and directors.

The Dark Wizard

Directors/Screenwriters: Peter Mortimer, Nick Rosen, Producers: Halle Johns, Olivia Ahnemann, Zachary Barr

An unflinching portrait of Dean Potter, the influential and controversial climber, base jumper and highline walker, who achieves jaw-dropping feats while battling his inner demons. Featuring Dean Potter, Jen Rapp, Elizabeth Potter, Brad Lynch, Jim Hurst, Timmy O’Neill, Dean Fidelman, Dan Duane, Eric Perlman, Alex Honnold (World Premiere)

TV SPOTLIGHT

Exciting new series from around the world

The Comeback Season 3

Showrunner/Director: Michael Patrick King, Producers: Michael Patrick King, Lisa Kudrow, John Melfi, Dan Bucatinsky, Screenwriters: Michael Patrick King, Lisa Kudrow

20 years after the first season debuted in 2005, and 10 years after season two, the HBO original comedy series The Comeback, from Michael Patrick King and Lisa Kudrow, will return again for a third and final season. Cast: Lisa Kudrow, Dan Bucatinsky, Laura Silverman, Damian Young, Jack O’Brien, Ella Stiller (World Premiere)

They Called Us Outlaws – The Cosmic Cowboys, Honky Tonk Heroes and Rise of Redneck Rock

Showrunners/Producers: Eric Geadelmann, Kelly Magelky, Director/Screenwriter: Eric Geadelmann

What happened in Austin and in Nashville in the late 60s and early 70s was nothing less than a tectonic shift in country music. From Tennessee to Texas, musicians were breaking rules and flouting tradition in what the industry called Outlaw Country. (World Premiere)

XR EXPERIENCE presented by Spectacles

The immersive arts enhance and redefine how we experience the world. These projects emphasize ingenuity and storytelling across diverse industries.

XR Experience Spotlight

Masterful immersive art from around the world.

Dark Rooms (Denmark, Germany, Taiwan)

Directors: Laurits Flensted-Jensen, Mads Damsbo, Producers: Maximilian Mayrshofer, Chin Hsuan Sung, Gayatri Parameswaran, Felix Gaedtke, Screenwriters: Anne Sofie Steen Sverdrup, Laurits Flensted-Jensen, Mads Damsbo, Anjay, Trixie D., yaalioness, F.L.

“Dark Rooms” is an immersive documentary VR experience that immerses audiences in personal real life stories to explore sexuality, self-discovery, and connection in a judgement-free space. (U.S. Premiere)

Reality Looks Back (Denmark)

Directors/Producers: Anne Jeppesen, Omid Zarei, Screenwriter: Anne Jeppesen

Tactile immersive experience examining the bizarre presence of quantum duality in the context of mundane daily life (U.S. Premiere)

COMPETITION AWARDS 

The Narrative Feature Competition, the Documentary Feature Competition, and Special Awards will be announced on Wednesday, March 18 along with all the Short Film Program winners, which are eligible for Jury Awards within their respective screening categories, and XR Experience Competition. 2026 Special Awards include the SXSW Best of Texas Award, Redbreast Unhidden Award, Vimeo Staff Pick Award, Agog Immersive Impact Award, and the Janet Pierson Champion Award presented by Indiewire. All film categories, except Special Events, will be eligible for category-specific Audience Awards, which will be certified by the accounting firm of Maxwell Locke & Ritter and announced via sxsw.com the following week.

SXSW is proud to be an official qualifying festival for the Academy Awards® Short Film competition. Winners of our Best Animated, Best Narrative and Best Documentary Short Film categories become eligible for Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards (Oscars). Any British Short Film or British Short Animation that screens at SXSW is eligible for BAFTA nomination. Films are also eligible for the Independent Spirit Awards, more information on eligibility here.

DON McLEAN MARKS THE 55TH ANNIVERSARY OF “AMERICAN PIE” AS THE SURF BALLROOM ANNOUNCES A 2027 LIFE‑SIZE BRONZE STATUE HONORING THE ICONIC SINGER‑SONGWRITER

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Fifty‑five years after its release, Don McLean’s “American Pie” remains one of the most enduring anthems in American music — a sweeping, eight‑minute epic that captured a nation in transition and immortalized the phrase “the day the music died.” Today, as “American Pie” turns 55 (1971–2026), McLean is celebrating the milestone on tour while also helping propel a new chapter of preservation at the Surf Ballroom & Museum in Clear Lake, Iowa.

The Surf Ballroom — the National Historic Landmark where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson performed on February 2, 1959 as part of the Winter Dance Party tour — announced that a life‑size bronze statue honoring McLean will be erected on-site in 2027. The statue will stand as a permanent tribute to the songwriter whose work helped carry the story of that night into global cultural memory, bridging generations of listeners, historians and music fans.

The new statue is inspired from an existing life‑size bronze portrait created by acclaimed sculptor Zenos Frudakis (Philadelphia). Originally completed in 1989, the portrait was featured on the cover of McLean’s album ‘Classics’. Frudakis, an acclaimed portrait sculptor and lifelong friend of McLean, is known the world over for his statues of Muhammad Ali, Nina Simone, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and many more. He is creating an entirely new statue for public display at the Surf, adding a new landmark for visitors to the historic ballroom and its adjacent museum experiences.

The announcement comes on February 3 on the heels of the 2026 Winter Dance Party at the Surf — the anniversary of the 1959 plane crash that claimed the lives of Holly, Valens and Richardson — a date forever intertwined with McLean’s songwriting.

“The Buddy Holly Educational Foundation is thrilled that one of our most iconic ambassadors is being honored with a statue at The Surf Ballroom, the site of Buddy Holly’s final performance,” said Rick French, chairman of The Buddy Holly Educational Foundation and a national trustee of the famed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “While American Pie was famously inspired by the plane crash that claimed the lives of Buddy, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson on February 3, 1959 , it has stood for more than half a century as an anthem to the cultural shifts of our country and is as relevant today as it has ever been.”

The Buddy Holly Educational Foundation (TBHEF) works to extend musical education — including songwriting, production, arranging, orchestration and performance — to new generations regardless of income or learning levels. The Foundation also supports emerging artists through mentoring and songwriting retreats, and its Ambassadors receive a replica of Buddy Holly’s own Gibson J‑45 to encourage new music in his memory.

“To this day Don remains one of Maria Elena Holly’s closest friends and she was overjoyed to learn a statue is being cast in his honor,” added Peter Bradley, Jr., vice chairman of The Buddy Holly Educational Foundation, who is working closely with McLean, his management team and Jeff Nichols at the Surf Ballroom to plan a blockbuster unveiling of the statue upon completion.

First opened in 1933 (and rebuilt in 1948 after a fire), the Surf Ballroom continues to host concerts and special events year‑round and welcomes visitors to explore the site’s museum offerings. In recent years, the Surf expanded its educational mission with new immersive experiences honoring the artists and cultural moments that shaped early rock ’n’ roll — ensuring that the ‘Winter Dance Party’ story is preserved not only as history, but as a living, visitable place.

DON McLEAN 2026 TOUR DATES (SUBJECT TO CHANGE):
Fri, Feb 06 — Lobero Theatre — Santa Barbara, Calif.
Sat, Feb 07 — Saban Theatre — Beverly Hills, Calif.
Fri, Mar 20 — Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee — Immokalee, Fla.
Sat, Mar 21 — Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts — Melbourne, Fla.
Sun, Mar 22 — Savannah Center — The Villages, Fla.
Mon, Mar 23 — Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre — Clearwater, Fla.
Sat, May 16 — Honeywell Center — Wabash, Ind.
Fri, May 22 — Edmond Town Hall — Newton, Ct.
Thu, May 28 — Riviera Theatre — North Tonawanda, N.Y.
Fri, May 29 — Caesars Circus Maximus Theater — Atlantic City, N.J.
Sat, Jun 06 — Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino — Las Vegas, Nev.
Sat, Aug 01 — Murphy Theatre — Wilmington, Ohio
Sat, Aug 22 — Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center — Indianapolis, Ind.

For tickets and the latest updates, visit DonMcLean.com.

Interview with Composer Irad Eshel

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Composer, producer and sound designer Irad Eshel spoke with our Gadi Elkon about music, inspiration and so much more!

Interview with Producer and Editor Ron Eigen

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Producer and Editor Ron Eigen talked with our Gadi Elkon about his latest projects with Filmmaker Andre Gaines, some highlights from his past work and even shared what’s coming up next!

BRITISH COMEDY SERIES “HAPLESS” ARRIVES EXCLUSIVELY IN NORTH AMERICA AND THE U.K. ON CHAIFLICKS

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Fans of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” can now get their fix of dry sardonic humor, mixed with a bit of British flavor, as ChaiFlicks, the only global streaming platform showcasing high-quality films and series centered on Jewish stories and culture from around the world, adds the British sitcom “Hapless” to its mix. After a limited run on Peacock in the U.S., the series follows neurotic journalist Paul Green (Tim Downie, “The King’s Speech”) and his efforts to write exciting articles for the UK’s “fourth largest Jewish newspaper,” The Jewish Enquirer. Paul often finds himself in awkward situations, mostly of his own making, thanks to his tendency to relate to others without a filter. Episodes will drop on the platform every Wednesday, with the first two episodes available NOW on chaiflicks.com.

The series is written by the award-winning comedy film and TV writer and director, Gary Sinyor (“The Bachelor,” “Stiff Upper Lips,” “Leon the Pig Farmer”), who, much like Larry David, has created characters in the series that resemble different versions of himself. He states, “I couldn’t have done it any other way. I think probably in everything that I’ve ever made, [the characters] are all versions of me.”

Critics worldwide have praised “Hapless,” calling it a “…hilarious British comedy meant to test boundaries,” by Fandomwire and “…feels fresh and funny and vital,” from The Forward.  The Jewish Chronicle hailed “The six episodes whizzed by, each of the 17 times I’ve watched them…”

“Hapless” is a strong contender for the shiniest hidden gem in the streaming world.  Below is a synopsis of the six episodes in Season 1:

 

The Playing with Fire

Paul is doing a story on a flirty fireman when Nazi graffiti is daubed on a wall. Paul’s sister, Naomi, needs a hand with her son, Joshie’s 6th birthday party, and Paul tries to help. It could work out well were it not for a some 30-year-old car racing set, a helium balloon, and Paul’s best friend Simon’s sexual designs on Ruth, the mother of the child from hell.

 

The Juicer

Naomi tells Paul that her juicer/spiritualist has warned that it would be dangerous for their dad to go on his cruise.  Paul’s best friend Simon’s birthday party is coming up, and it’s a costume party. A Vicar needs help from the Jewish Enquirer, and Paul negotiates a positive story for an outfit for the party. But a misunderstanding outside the bathroom leaves Paul buying flavored condoms while dressed as an Imam at a gas station.

 

The Key Cutter & The Vegan

Paul’s new key doesn’t work. When the Key Cutter asks for his address for the replacement drop-off, Paul is worried. If he gives his address, and this guy has his key, he could rob his house. A run-in with a possibly anti-Semitic driver’s awareness course and an even more possibly anti-Semitic vegan add to the confusion.

 

Bad Hair Day

Paul has to take Joshie for a haircut. He’s also going green by testing out an electric car. Is hair recyclable, and where would Paul take it if it were? Was it a good idea to offer little person Mark a lift in a car with only one car seat?

 

Feathers & Foreskins

Simon’s sister has had a baby boy and asks Paul for help with finding a Mohel for the circumcision. Liam, the boy’s dad, is dead set against having his boy’s penis “trimmed.” Leaving the existential question: is sex better with or without? Paul wants to find out. And…how does a dumb young YouTube vlogger get so many hits?

 

The Old Suit

Paul insults one of Joshie’s teachers and Naomi wants him to apologize, but Paul is busy testing out a research suit that adds 20 years to your age. Ronnie, Paul’s dad, introduces Paul to an old Jewish man who is “LGBTQ+”. After a full day as an 80-year-old, today is the day Paul realizes he is probably a fattist, racist, transphobic, and sexist. Ronnie has an insightful answer that involves Helen Mirren.

DIFF Announces Dates and New Additions for Dallas International Film Festival 2026

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DIFF has announced plans for the 2026 Dallas International Film Festival as the Oscar® Qualifying Festival celebrates its 20th edition. The announcement was made by DIFF CEO Beth Wilbins and DIFF Artistic Director James Faust.

The eight-day Festival is set for Thursday, April 23 – Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Community leaders Tanya Foster and Lynn McBee, both of whom held previous leadership roles with the Festival’s parent organization, Dallas Film Society, Inc., will serve as co-chairs for the 20th Anniversary Dallas International Film Festival. Foster, who served as the Executive Director, and McBee, who served as the Board Chair, will preside over the 20th anniversary events and a new host committee comprised of individuals who have been involved with the Festival over the past 20 years.

Michael Cain – who was the co-founder along with the late Liener Temerlin, of Dallas Film Society, Inc. in 2006 and the original Festival in 2007 – will host a new Founders Night Screening event.

Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas Victory Park, located steps away from American Airlines Center at 2365 Victory Park Lane, returns as the host venue. Additional screenings and events will be held at the historic Texas Theatre and the artful Virgin Hotels Dallas – which returns for the fourth year as the Premier Sponsor of the Festival – among other world-class Dallas destinations to be announced.

New to this year’s offerings at the Festival will be the first-time DIFF Industry Conference, presented in collaboration with Dallas Film Commission. The conference will feature panels focusing on filmmaking, television production, and how to thrive in an ever-changing industry, according to Katie Schuck, the Dallas Film Commissioner, and Austin Flores, who is the Location Specialist for Dallas Film Commission and will serve as Conference Director.

The Dallas International Film Festival is a global adventure featuring more than 125 film screenings, panels, Q&As with filmmakers and actors, nightly Red Carpets, live screenplay table reads, awards, and other events and activations where filmmakers, screenwriters, film industry leaders, celebrities, sponsors, and audiences come together to experience and discuss film. Films are curated from submissions received by filmmakers from 100+ countries worldwide, across Texas, and the United States, and include narrative features, documentaries, and short films of all genres from studios and independent filmmakers.

The Dallas International Film Festival is one of only 59 film festivals in the United States and only 181 film festivals worldwide to earn the designation of Oscar® Qualifying Festival by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Oscar® Qualifying short film awards at the Dallas International Film Festival are: Grand Jury Prize – Best Animated Short Film; Grand Jury Prize – Best Documentary Short Film; and Grand Jury Prize – Best Narrative Short Film.

Films that win qualified awards may be qualified to enter the 99th Academy Awards®, provided that the films meet all the requirements set forth in the official rules for that season. See https://www.oscars.org/oscars/rules-eligibility for details.

Submissions for the 2026 Dallas International Film Festival are open. Additional information on film and screenplay categories, programming strands, awards and prizes, rules, and deadlines is available at https://filmfreeway.com/DallasInternationalFilmFestival.

Selig Polyscope’s THE TRAMP AND THE DOG (1896) Joins the 2025 National Film Registry

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The Library of Congress has selected 25 films for the National Film Registry due to their cultural, historic or aesthetic importance to preserve the nation’s film heritage, the Library announced today.

The selections for 2025 date back to the silent film era with six silent films dating from 1896 to 1926 – a significant number of films in this class. The newest film added to the registry is from 2014 with filmmaker Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” which included meticulous historical research at the Library of Congress to create visually striking scenery.

Iconic Hollywood films from the last 50 years selected for the registry this year include “The Karate Kid,” “Glory,” “Philadelphia,” “Inception,” and the teen comedy “Clueless.” Classic Hollywood selections include the 1954 musical “White Christmas” that enshrined the chart-topping song of the same name in American popular culture, and perhaps the last great musical of the Golden Age of Hollywood, “High Society” from 1956 featuring Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong and Grace Kelly in her last movie.

Four documentaries were selected for the registry this year, including Ken Burns’ “Brooklyn Bridge,” Nancy Buirski’s “The Loving Story,” George Nierenberg’s “Say AmenSomebody” and Danny Tedesco’s “The Wrecking Crew.”

“When we preserve films, we preserve American culture for generations to come. These selections for the National Film Registry show us that films are instrumental in capturing important parts of our nation’s story,” said Acting Librarian of Congress Robert R. Newlen. “We are proud to continue this important work, adding a broad range of 25 films to the National Film Registry as a collective effort in the film community to protect our cinematic heritage.”

The selections for 2025 bring the number of titles in the registry to 925. Some of the film titles are among the 2 million moving image collection items held in the Library of Congress. Others are preserved in coordination with copyright holders or other film archives.

Looking back on “The Karate Kid,” actor Ralph Macchio said the characters were key to cementing the film in pop culture history.

“The magic of Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi and me as the Daniel LaRusso character, that sort of give and take, that instant soulful magic was happening from our first meeting, Macchio told the Library of Congress. “Those scenes in Miyagi’s yard, the chores, the waxing on of the car, the painting the fences, the sanding the floor, all of that is now a part of cinematic pop culture. For me, the heart and soul of the film is in those two characters.”

Writer and director Amy Heckerling recalled how she made the 1995 teen comedy and satire “Clueless,” which has been called a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s classic novel “Emma.”

“I’m often asked, how did I decide to make ‘Emma’ into an updated film, which is kind of backwards because what I wanted was to write the kind of characters that really amused me, people that were very comfortable, ardent and optimistic. I would get up, read the news and then just want to cry and be depressed. So, I thought, what if you really were always positive? How would that be? And what if you were doing things and you just knew that you were right?” Heckerling told the Library of Congress. “I remembered reading ‘Emma’ when I was in college, so I re-read it. It was like Jane Austen was pulling up from the grave and saying I already got it!”

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will host a television special Thursday, March 19, starting at 8 p.m. ET to screen a selection of films named to the registry this year. TCM host and film historian Jacqueline Stewart, who is chair of the National Film Preservation Board, will introduce the films.

Stewart leads the board in studying and recommending films across a wide variety of genres and eras for the Librarian of Congress to consider for the registry.

“It is very meaningful that the National Film Registry is adding six silent film titles, showing the range of topics and styles in the earliest years of American filmmaking,” Stewart said. “And it is especially exciting to see that the top title nominated by the public for this year, ‘The Thing,’ has been added to the National Film Registry, along with ‘The Truman Show’ and ‘The Incredibles’ which also had very strong public support.”

Films Selected for the 2025 National Film Registry
(chronological order)

  • The Tramp and the Dog (1896)
  • The Oath of the Sword (1914)
  • The Maid of McMillan (1916)
  • The Lady (1925)
  • Sparrows (1926)
  • Ten Nights in a Barroom (1926)
  • White Christmas (1954)
  • High Society (1956)
  • Brooklyn Bridge (1981)
  • Say Amen, Somebody (1982)
  • The Thing (1982)
  • The Big Chill (1983)
  • The Karate Kid (1984)
  • Glory (1989)
  • Philadelphia (1993)
  • Before Sunrise (1995)
  • Clueless (1995)
  • The Truman Show (1998)
  • Frida (2002)
  • The Hours (2002)
  • The Incredibles (2004)
  • The Wrecking Crew (2008)
  • Inception (2010)
  • The Loving Story (2011)
  • The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Public Nominations for the National Film Registry
The public submitted 7,559 titles for consideration this year. The public can submit nominations throughout the year on the Library’s web site. Nominations for next year will be accepted until Aug. 15, 2026. Cast your vote at loc.gov/film.
Ken Burns’ First Major Film Joins National Film Registry

“Brooklyn Bridge” is the first documentary by Ken Burns to join the National Film Registry. Burns recently discussed his inspiration for the film and his process with the Library of Congress.

“My best friend was a book distributor and he gave me a copy of David McCullough’s, ‘The Great Bridge,’ the epic story of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. I devoured it in one sitting. And I said, oh, we should make a story about what this book is about, not just about the construction, which that book was, but this century as a symbol of strength, ingenuity, vitality and promise. I had no idea that that it would take so many years of my time to do it,” Burns said. “I was just drawn to the story and the idea that you could wake the past up with old photographs and first-person voices, as well as a traditional third-person narrator.

“The ‘Brooklyn Bridge’ film was my first film that had sort of widespread distribution. And I can’t think of a day where I didn’t learn something new. I felt in some ways like every first film is reinventing the wheel. You can be influenced by other people, but you really, in the end, have to do it. Everything was how you wake the story up, how you take a photograph. And in those days it was all analog. We were hand shooting all of the archives. That was a very long process, traveling to them in person. There was no digitization. There was no getting it over the internet. It was all firsthand. We filmed for the ‘Brooklyn Bridge’ at 163 different sources.”

Coincidentally, the Library of Congress has been an important resource for nearly all of Burns’ films for archival footage and historical accuracy.

“With the exception of ‘The American Revolution,’ which is a subject that predates photography, we’ve used the Library of Congress in every single film we’ve worked on. I spent between eight and nine weeks, Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30 in the paper print collection, filming on an easel with gloves and magnets,” Burns said.

“When I think about the National Film Registry and all the films that are contained in it, I think of it as a giant mirror of the United States, reflecting back all of the complexity, all of the intimacy, all of the variety of the people and ideas and forces and movements that have taken place over our history. And you realize what an extraordinary repository it is.”

Wes Anderson Draws on Library for ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’

Similarly, Anderson uses significant historical research to create visually striking stories and scenery, as displayed by “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” He too used the Library’s collections to create his film.

“There’s a specific set of postcards in the Library of Congress Photochrome Prints collection. They’re photographs from the turn of the century and hand-tinted. When we were first starting to figure out how to tell this story, the views and images that we were looking for, the architecture and the landscapes that we wanted, they don’t exist anymore,” Anderson said. “We went through the entire Photochrome collection, which is a lot of images. We made our own versions of things, but much of what is in our film comes directly from that collection from the Library of Congress.”

The 2025 National Film Registry
(descriptions in chronological order)

“The Tramp and the Dog” (1896)                                                          
“The Tramp and the Dog,” a silent film from Chicago’s Selig Polyscope Company, is considered director William Selig’s most popular early work. Filmed in Rogers Park, it is recognized as the first commercial film made in Chicago. Previously a lost film, it was rediscovered in 2021 at the National Library of Norway. The film depicts a tramp who attempts to steal a pie from a backyard windowsill, only to be met by a broom-wielding housewife and her dog, who foils the crime. The film is one of the first known as “pants humor,” where a character loses (or almost loses) his pants during an altercation. This scene inspired future comedy gags showing drifters and tramps losing their pants to dogs chasing them.

“The Oath of the Sword” (1914)
A three-reel silent drama, “The Oath of the Sword” depicts the tragic story of two young lovers separated by an ocean. Masao follows his ambitions, studying abroad at the University of California, Berkeley, while Hisa remains in Japan, caring for her ill father. This earliest known Asian American film production featured Japanese actors playing Japanese characters and was produced by the Los Angeles-based Japanese American Film Company. Made at a time when Hollywood studios were not yet the dominant storytellers of the American film industry, “The Oath of the Sword” highlights the significance of early independent film productions created by and for Asian American communities. James Card, the founding curator at the George Eastman Museum, acquired “The Oath of the Sword” in 1963. The museum made a black and white photochemical preservation in 1980. In 2023, a new preservation reproducing the original tinting was done in collaboration with the Japanese American National Museum, and the film has since become widely admired.

“The Maid of McMillan” (1916)
Known to be the first student film on record, this whimsical, silent romance film was shot on campus in 1916 by students in the Thyrsus Dramatic Club at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Club members Donald Stewart (Class of 1917) and George D. Bartlett (Class of 1920) wrote the screenplay. The original nitrate print of “The Maid of McMillan” was rediscovered in 1982, and two 16mm prints were made; the original nitrate was likely destroyed at this time. In 2021, with funding from the National Film Preservation Foundation, one of those 16mm prints was scanned at 4k and reprinted onto 35mm helping to secure the film’s survival and legacy.

“The Lady” (1925)
When “The Lady” debuted in theaters in 1925, the silent film era had hit its stride, and this movie represents a powerhouse of artists at their peak. Director Frank Borzage was a well-established expert in drawing out intense expressions of deep emotion and longing in his actors. He did just that with the film’s lead actress, Norma Talmadge, also at the height of her career, both in front of and behind the camera. Talmadge produced “The Lady” through her production company and commissioned one of the most prolific screenwriters, Frances Marion, to deliver a heartfelt story of a woman seeking to find the son she had to give up, to protect him from his evil grandfather. “The Lady” was restored by the Library of Congress in 2022.

“Sparrows” (1926)
As a silent actress, producer and key founder in the creation of the American film industry, Mary Pickford’s performance in “Sparrows” represents her ability to master the genre she helped nourish: sentimental melodramas full of adventure and thrills, with dashes of comedy and heartfelt endings. Pickford plays Molly, the eldest orphan held within the swampy squalor of the Deep South, who moves heaven and earth to save the other orphan children from a Dickensian world of forced labor. The film takes some departures from the visual styles found in Pickford’s other films, invoking an unusual tone of despair while deploying camera angles and lighting akin to German Expressionist cinema. “Sparrows” was preserved by the Library of Congress in collaboration with the Mary Pickford Company in 2020.

Ten Nights in a Barroom” (1926)                                                                     
Featuring an all-Black cast, “Ten Nights in a Barroom” was produced in 1926 by the Colored Players Film Corporation of Philadelphia and is the earliest of only two surviving films made by the company. This silent film is based on the stage melodrama adapted from the 1854 novel “Ten Nights in a Bar-Room and What I Saw There” by Timothy Shay Arthur. Released in 2015 by Kino Lorber as part of the five-disc set “Pioneers of African-American Cinema,” the compilation was produced by the Library of Congress, in association with the British Film Institute, George Eastman Museum, Museum of Modern Art, National Archives, Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, Southern Methodist University and the UCLA Film & Television Archive. Preserved by George Eastman Museum.

White Christmas” (1954)                                                           
While the chart-topping song “White Christmas” was first performed by Bing Crosby for the 1942 film “Holiday Inn,” its composer, Irving Berlin, was later inspired to center the song in the 1954 musical “White Christmas.” Crosby, along with Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen Rohe and director Michael Curtiz, embedded “White Christmas” in American popular culture as a best-selling single and the top-grossing film of 1954, as well as regular holiday viewing throughout the decades. The story of two World War II veterans-turned-entertainers and a singing sister act preparing a show for a retired general, the film and its grand musical numbers were captured in VistaVision, a widescreen process developed by Paramount Pictures and first used for “White Christmas.”

“High Society” (1956)                                                                  
Often referred to as the last great musical of the Golden Age of Hollywood, “High Society” features an all-star cast including Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong (and his band), along with a memorable score of Cole Porter classics. Set in Newport, Rhode Island, the film showcases the Newport Jazz Festival (established in 1954) and features a remarkable version of Cole Porter’s “Now You Has Jazz.” It includes the first big-screen duet by Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, singing “Well, Did You Evah?” This was Grace Kelly’s last movie before she retired from acting and married the Prince of Monaco; she wore her Cartier engagement ring while filming.

“Brooklyn Bridge” (1981)
With “Brooklyn Bridge,” Ken Burns introduced himself to the American public, telling the story of the New York landmark’s construction. As with later subjects like the Civil War, jazz and baseball, Burns connects the building of the Brooklyn Bridge to American identity, values and aspirations. Released theatrically and nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, “Brooklyn Bridge” marked the beginning of Burns’ influential career in public mediaMore than just a filmmaker, Burns has become a trusted public historian. His storytelling presents facts, but maybe more importantly, invites reflection on what America is, where it’s been, and where it’s going. His influence is felt not only in classrooms and through public broadcasting, but across generations who see history as something alive and relevant.

“Say Amen, Somebody” (1982)
George Nierenberg’s documentary is a celebration of the historical significance and spiritual power of gospel music. With inspirational music, joyful songs and brilliant singers, the movie focuses on the men and women who pioneered gospel music and strengthened its connections to African American community and religious life. Prior to production, Nierenberg, who is white, spent over a year in African American churches and communities, gaining the trust of the performers. Restored by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2020, the film features archival footage, photographs, stirring performances and reflections from the father of gospel Thomas A. Dorsey and its matron Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith. Nierenberg shows the struggles and sacrifices it takes to make a living in gospel, including criticism endured by women who sought to pursue careers as professional gospel singers while raising their families.

“The Thing” (1982)
Moody, stark, often funny and always chilling, this science fiction horror classic follows Antarctic scientists who uncover a long-dormant, malevolent extraterrestrial presence. “The Thing” revolutionized horror special effects and offers a brutally honest portrait of the results of paranoia and exhaustion when the unknown becomes inescapable. “The Thing” deftly adapts John W. Campbell’s 1938 novella “Who Goes There?” and influenced “Stranger Things” and “Reservoir Dogs.” It remains a tense, thrilling and profoundly unsettling work of cinema.

“The Big Chill” (1983)
Lawrence Kasdan’s best picture-nominated “The Big Chill” offers an intimate portrait of friends reunited after the suicide of one of their own and features actors who defined cinema in the 1980s – Glenn Close, William Hurt, Jo Beth Williams, Kevin Kline, Jeff Goldblum and Meg Tilly. This powerful ensemble portrays American stereotypes of the time – the yuppie, the drug dealer, the TV star – and deftly humanizes them. Through humor, tenderness, honesty and an amazing soundtrack, it shows formerly idealistic Americans making and dealing with the constant compromises of adulthood, while buoying one another with uncompromising love and friendship.

“The Karate Kid” (1984)
An intimate story about family and friendship, “The Karate Kid” also succeeds as a hero’s journey, a sports movie and a teen movie – a feel-good movie, but not without grit. The film offers clearly defined villains, romance and seemingly unachievable goals, but also an elegant character-driven drama that is relatable and touching. A father who has lost his son meets the displaced son of a single mother and teaches him about finding balance and avoiding the pitfalls of violence and revenge. Race and class issues are presented honestly and are dealt with reasonably. Our hero practices a lot, gets frustrated, gets hurt, but still succeeds. It’s as American as they come, and it’s a classic.

“Glory” (1989)
“Glory,” described by Leonard Maltin as “one of the finest historical dramas ever made,” portrays a historical account of the 54th Regiment, a unit of African American soldiers who fought for the North in the Civil War. Authorized by the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, the regiment consisted of an all-Black troop commanded by white officers. Matthew Broderick plays the young colonel who trains the troop, and Denzel Washington (in an Academy Award-winning performance) is among an impressive cast that includes Morgan Freeman, Cary Elwes and Andre Braugher. American Civil War historian James M. McPherson said the film “accomplishes a remarkable feat in sensitizing a lot of today’s Black students to the role that their ancestors played in the Civil War in winning their own freedom.”

“Philadelphia” (1993)                                                                  
“Philadelphia” stars Tom Hanks in one of the first mainstream studio movies to confront the HIV/AIDS crisis. In the film, law partner Andrew Beckett (Hanks) is fired from his firm when they discover that he is gay and has AIDS. He hires personal attorney Joe Miller (Denzel Washington) to help him with litigation against his former employer. Director Jonathan Demme is quoted as saying, “The film is not necessarily just about AIDS, but rather everyone in this country is entitled to justice.” The film won two Oscars: one for Hanks and the other for Bruce Springsteen’s original song, “The Streets of Philadelphia.” Through the song’s mainstream radio and MTV airplay, it brought the film and its conversation around the HIV/AIDS pandemic to a wider audience.

“Before Sunrise” (1995)
Richard Linklater has explored a wide range of narrative storytelling styles while consistently capturing ordinary, everyday American life. However, his innovative use of time as a defining and recurring cinematic tool has become one of his most significant accomplishments. As the first film in his “Before” trilogy – three films, each shot nine years apart – “Before Sunrise” unfolds as one of cinema’s most sustained explorations of love and the passage of time, highlighting the human experience through chance encounters and conversation. With his critically acclaimed 12-year production of the film “Boyhood” (2014) and a new 20-year planned production underway, his unique use of the medium of film to demonstrate time passing demonstrates an unprecedented investment in actors and narrative storytelling.

Clueless” (1995)                                                             
A satire, comedy and loose Jane Austen literary adaptation dressed in teen movie designer clothing, “Clueless,” directed by Amy Heckerling, rewards both the casual and hyper-analytical viewer. It’s impossible to miss its peak-1990s colorful, high-energy, soundtrack-focused on-screen dynamism, and repeated viewings reveal its unpretentiously presented and extraordinarily layered and biting social commentary about class, privilege and power structures. Heckerling and the incredible cast never talk down to the audience, creating main characters that viewers root for, despite the obvious digs at the ultrarich. The film centers on Cher (Alicia Silverstone) as a well-intentioned, fashion-obsessed high school student who is convinced she has life figured out. In the age of MTV, the film’s popularity launched Paul Rudd’s career and Silverstone’s iconic-1990s status. The soundtrack, curated by Karyn Rachtman, helped solidify the film as a time capsule of clothing, music, dialogue and teenage life.

“The Truman Show” (1998)
Before social media and reality television, there was “The Truman Show.” Jim Carrey breaks from his usual comedic roles to star in this dramatic film about a man who, unbeknownst to him, is living his life on a soundstage filmed for a popular reality show. Adopted at birth by the television studio, Truman Burbank (Carrey) grew up in the (fictitious) town of Seahaven Island with his family and friends playing roles (paid actors). Cameras are all over the soundstage and follow his activities 24/7. Almost 30 years since its release, the film continues to be a study in sociology, philosophy and psychology, and has inspired university classes on media influence, the human condition and reality television.

“Frida” (2002)
Salma Hayek produced and starred in this biopic of Frida Kahlo, adapted from the book “Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo” by Hayden Herrera. The film explores Kahlo’s rise as an artist in Mexico City and the impact disability and chronic pain from an accident as a young adult had on her life and work. The film centers around her tumultuous and passionate relationships, most significantly with her husband, painter Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina). Directed by Julie Taymor, the film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Actress. It won awards for Best Makeup and Best Original Score for Elliot Goldenthal, who also won a Golden Globe in the same category.

“The Hours” (2002)
Director Stephen Daldry’s “The Hours” weaves the novel “Mrs. Dalloway” into three women’s stories of loneliness, depression and suicide. Virginia Woolf, played by Nicole Kidman (who won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for her performance), is working on the novel while struggling with what is now known as bipolar disorder. Laura, played by Julianne Moore (nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role), is unfulfilled in her life as a 1950s housewife and mother. Clarissa (played by Meryl Streep) is – like Mrs. Dalloway – planning a party, but for her close friend who is dying of AIDS. The film is based on Michael Cunningham’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. It earned nine Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won a Golden Globe for Best Picture.

“The Incredibles” (2004)
With an all-star cast and memorable soundtrack, this Academy Award-winning Pixar hit uses thrilling action sequences to tell the story of a family trying to live normal lives while hiding their superpowers. For the first time, Pixar hired an outside director, Brad Bird, who drew inspiration from spy films and comic books from the 1960s. The animation team developed a new design element to capture realistic human anatomy, hair, skin and clothing, which Pixar struggled with in early films like “Toy Story.” The film spawned merchandise, video games, Lego sets and more. The sequel, “Incredibles 2,” was also a huge hit, and together, both films generated almost $2 billion at the box office.

“The Wrecking Crew” (2008)
“The Wrecking Crew” is a documentary that showcases a group of Los Angeles studio musicians who played on many hit songs and albums of the 1960s and early 1970s, including “California Dreamin’,” “The Beat Goes On,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” and “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’.” Through interviews, music, footage and his own narration, director Denny Tedesco reveals how the Wrecking Crew members – including his father, guitarist Tommy Tedesco – were the unsung heroes of some of America’s most famous songs. Production for the film began in 1996, and the film was completed in 2008. Due to the high cost of song licenses, the official release was delayed until 2015, when a successful Kickstarter campaign raised over $300,000 to pay for the music rights.

“Inception” (2010)
Writer and director Christopher Nolan once again challenges audiences with multiple interconnected narrative layers while delivering thrilling action sequences and stunning visual effects. “Inception” asks the question, “Can you alter a person’s thoughts by manipulating their dreams?” Taking almost 10 years to write, the film was praised for its aesthetic significance and Nolan’s ability to create scenes using cameras rather than computer-generated imagery. A metaphysical heist film with an emotional core driven by grief and guilt, “Inception” offers a meditation on how dreams influence identity, and it resonates deeply in an age of digital simulation, blurred realities and uncertainty. The film earned $830 million at the box office and won four Academy Awards.

“The Loving Story” (2011)
Nancy Buirski’s acclaimed documentary gives an in-depth and deeply personal look at the true story of Richard Loving (a white man) and Mildred Loving (a Black and Native American woman), who were forbidden by law to marry in the state of Virginia in the 1960s. Their Supreme Court case, Loving vs. Virginia, was one of the most significant in history, and paved the way for future multiracial couples to marry. The movie captures the immense challenges the Lovings faced to keep their family and marriage together, through a combination of 16mm footage, personal photographs, accounts from their lawyers and family members, and audio from the Supreme Court oral arguments.

“The Grand Budapest Hotel” (2014)
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” stands as one of Wes Anderson’s most successful films and demonstrates his own brand of unique craftsmanship, resulting in a visually striking and emotionally resonant story. As one of the most stylistically distinctive American filmmakers of the last half-century, Anderson uses historically accurate color and architecture to paint scenes to elicit nostalgia and longing from audiences, while at the same time weaving in political and social upheaval into the film. The film is an example of Anderson as a unique artist who uses whimsy, melancholy, innovative storytelling and a great deal of historical research, which is on display in this visually rich gem of a movie.

About the National Film Registry

Congress established the National Film Preservation Board in 1988 to advise the Librarian of Congress on national preservation policies and annual selections for the National Film Registry, and the Library was given a mandate to preserve the mint record of America’s cinematic heritage.

Under the terms of the National Film Preservation Act, each year the Librarian of Congress names 25 motion pictures to the National Film Registry that are “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant. The films must be at least 10 years old. More information about the National Film Registry can be found at loc.gov/film.

The Librarian makes the annual registry selections after conferring with the distinguished members of the National Film Preservation Board and a cadre of Library specialists. Also considered were 7,559 titles nominated by the public. Nominations for next year will be accepted through Aug. 15, 2026, at loc.gov/film.

Many titles named to the registry have already been preserved by the copyright holders, filmmakers or other archives. In cases where a selected title has not already been preserved, the Library of Congress National Audio-Visual Conservation Center works to ensure the film will be preserved by some entity and available for future generations, either through the Library’s motion picture preservation program or through collaborative ventures with other archives, motion picture studios and independent filmmakers.

The National Audio-Visual Conservation Center is located at the Library’s Packard Campus in Culpeper, Virginia, a state-of-the-art facility where the nation’s library acquires, preserves and provides access to the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of films, television programs, radio broadcasts and sound recordings (loc.gov/avconservation). It is home to more than 10.8 million collection items.

SOLO MIO – A Review by John Strange

I have seen a lot of films in my forty-plus years as a film critic.  I have seen a lot of man or woman left at the altar films, too.  Solo Mio takes a different approach to the pain felt by the groom, Matt Taylor (Kevin James), when his fiancée Heather (Julie Ann Emery) disappears right before her time to walk down the aisle in the couple’s very romantic Roman church wedding.

In a film from the card company, this might have led to a sugary tale of love that would endanger my diabetic condition.  Kevin James, John Kinnane, and Patrick Kinnane have given us a story of a man fighting to live through the heartache of the day.  Finding friendship with two honeymooning couples (Kim Coates with Alyson Hannigan and Jonathan Roumie with Julee Cerda), these oddly endearing couples convince Matt to use his prepaid honeymoon rather than let it go to waste.  The five do the whole tourist bit. 

The film is packed with wonderfully complex characters.  As the story unfolds, we keep finding more to like about these characters.  And the views of Rome and the Italian countryside are gorgeous.  Solo Mio’s charming surprises made me fall in love with its story.  I plan to watch this film again when it opens.

Angel Studios is doing something different for this release.  They are running a promotion called “Dudes Go Free” to encourage couples to see this excellent date night film.  This is a great idea!

 

Directors: Charles Kinnane, Daniel Kinnane

Cast: Kevin James, Jonathan Roumie, Kim Coates, Alyson Hannigan, Julie Ann Emery, Nicole Grimaudo, Julee Cerda, Daniela Glasgow, Salomé Chandler, Julia Messina, Alessandro Cucca, Caterina Silva, Allina Cerni, Alessandro Carbonara, Evelina Meghnagi, Cristina Alby

MPA Rating: PG (for some suggestive material, brief language, violence, and smoking)

Selig Rating: 5 Stars

Runtime: 100 Min.

Release Date: 02/06/2026

Language: English, Italian

Genre(s): Comedy, Romance

Movie Site: SOLO MIO Official Website

Trailer: SOLO MIO Official Trailer

 

The Selig Rating Scale:

5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.

4 Stars – Good movie/show

3 Stars – OK movie/show

2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…

1 Star – Total waste of time.

MERCY – A Review by John Strange

Everyone is hot about AI these days.  Companies around the world are developing AI engines to, some say, make life easier.

In Mercy, the near-future city of Los Angeles has decided that crime needs to speed up the process of dealing with major criminals.  Their desire was to see fewer criminals beat the system and get back on the street.

To make this program work, the city set up an AI judge who gives the defendant 90 minutes to defend himself.  Failure to do so automatically results in the defendant’s death.

Eighteen times this new system has worked as designed.  Then Detective Chris Raven (Chris Pratt) is arrested and accused of the murder of his wife, Nicole (Annabelle Wallis).  Detective Raven was one of the people who spearheaded the Mercy Project and was part of the team that arrested the first fugitive.

The action in Mercy is fast and filled with CGI/AI special effects.  I walked in skeptical about how much I would enjoy this film.  I am happy to say that this film’s cinematography is hot!  Timur Bekmambetov’s direction is spot on.

I did not see the film in IMAX, but it was still a good watch!  If you like action films, this is a great one for you!

 

Director: Timur Bekmambetov

Cast: Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson, Kali Reis, Annabelle Wallis, Chris Sullivan, Kylie Rogers

MPA Rating: PG-13 (for violence, bloody images, some strong language, drug content and teen smoking)

Selig Rating: 4.5 Stars

Runtime: 116 Min.

Release Date: 01/23/2026

Language: English

Genre(s): Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Trailer: MERCY Official Trailer

 

The Selig Rating Scale:

5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.

4 Stars – Good movie/show

3 Stars – OK movie/show

2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…

1 Star – Total waste of time.