"Must-See SXSW 24' HMUNCUT Films: Our Top Picks for Independent Cinema Lovers"

As the anticipation builds for this year's South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival, our radar is buzzing with excitement. Distributors like NEON and BRAINSTORM MEDIA, already known for their world-class releases, hold distribution rights for many of these gems, following their successful premieres in their home countries. While some heavy-hitters dominate the genre world, we've curated a list of films that promise a captivating blend you won't want to miss.

Stay tuned for exclusive coverage as we unveil the eclectic mix of cinematic brilliance gracing SXSW 2024! 🎬✨ #SXSW2024 #FilmFestival #NEON #BRAINSTORMMEDIA #CinematicBliss

BABES

(World Premiere)

Studio: NEON

Director: Pamela Adlon

Starring: Ilana Glazer, Michelle Buteau, Hasan Minhaj, John Carroll Lynch 

Synopsis: After becoming pregnant from a one-nightstand, Eden leans on her married best friend and mother of two, Dawn, to guide her through gestation and beyond.

Screening Section: Headliner

BIRDEATER

(International Premiere)

Director: Jack Clark, Jim Weir

Starring: Shabana Azeez, Mackenzie Fearnley, Ben Hunter, Jack Bannister, Clementine Anderson, Alfie Gledhill, Harley Wilson, Caroline McQuade

Synopsis: When a bride-to-be is invited to her own fiancé's bachelor party in the Australian outback, a night to remember takes a feral turn.

Screening Section: Visions

CUCKOO

(International Premiere)

Studio: NEON

Director: Tilman Singer

Starring: Hunter Schafer, Dan Stevens, Jessica Henwick, Marton Csókás, Jan Bluthardt 

Synopsis: On a trip to the German Alps with her father and stepmother, Gretchen discovers that the resort town where they’re staying hides sinister secrets, as she’s plagued by strange noises and frightening visions of a woman pursuing her.

Screening Section: Narrative Spotlight

I SAW THE TV GLOW

(Texas Premiere)

Studio: A24

Director: Jane Schoenbrun

Producers: Emma Stone, Dave McCary, Ali Herting, Sam Intili, Sarah Winshall

Screenwriters: Jane Schoenbrun

Starring: Justice Smith, Brigitte Lundy-Paine, Ian Foreman

Synopsis: Teenager Owen is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate introduces him to a mysterious late-night TV show — a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own. In the pale glow of the television, Owen’s view of reality begins to crack.

Screening Section: Festival Favorite

ODDITY

(World Premiere)

Director: Damian McCarthy

Starring: Gwilym Lee, Carolyn Bracken, Tadhg Murphy, Caroline Menton, Steve Wall, Jonathan French, Joe Rooney

Synopsis: In this new supernatural spectacle from Caveat's Damian McCarthy, a blind medium uncovers the truth behind her sister's death with the help of a frightening wooden mannequin.

Screening Section: Midnighter

SASQUATCH SUNSET

(Texas Premiere)

Studio: Bleecker Street

Directors: David Zellner, Nathan Zellner

Starring: Riley Keough, Jesse Eisenberg, Christophe Zajac-Denek, Nathan Zellner

Synopsis: In the misty forests of North America, a family of Sasquatches—possibly the last of their enigmatic kind— embark on an absurdist, epic, hilarious, and ultimately poignant journey over the course of one year. These shaggy and noble giants fight for survival as they find themselves on a collision course with the ever-changing world around them. Starring Riley Keough and Jesse Eisenberg, acclaimed directors David and Nathan Zellner (Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter) bring you the greatest Bigfoot story ever told. 

Screening Section: Festival Favorite

SING SING

(U.S. Premiere)

Studio: A24

Director: Greg Kwedar

Starring: Colman Domingo, Clarence Maclin, Paul Raci, Sean San José

Synopsis: A theater troupe finds escape from the realities of incarceration through the creativity of putting on a play in this film based on a real-life rehabilitation program and featuring a cast that includes formerly incarcerated actors.

Screening Section: Narrative Spotlight

Y2K

(World Premiere)

Studio: A24

Director: Kyle Mooney

Cast: Jaeden Martell, Rachel Zegler, Julian Dennison, The Kid Laroi

Synopsis: On the last night of 1999, two high school juniors crash a New Years Eve party, only to find themselves fighting for their lives in this dial-up disaster comedy. 

Screening Section: Headliner