SXSW London debuts Film lineup with Emimiem fan bio pic Stans to open with Life of Chuck to close

Eminem-inspired doc Stans opens SXSW London, with Mike Flanagan’s The Life of Chuck set to close the fest.

SXSW London Unveils First Wave of Film Lineup with Eminem Doc Stans, Flanagan’s The Life of Chuck, and Star-Studded Centerpiece Deep Cover

The inaugural edition of the SXSW London Screen Festival is officially locked in, and the first wave of programming promises a bold, genre-blending showcase. Taking place June 2–7 in Shoreditch, this transatlantic spin on the legendary Austin-based fest is set to highlight powerful documentaries, gripping dramas, and edgy television premieres with a distinctly UK flair.

Opening Night: STANS

Kicking things off on June 2 is the world premiere of Stans, a deep-dive documentary from Emmy-winning director Steven Leckart that explores the obsessive fandom inspired by Eminem’s infamous track. Featuring interviews with collaborators and controversial superfans, the film offers a rare look at how one song reshaped celebrity culture and fan identity.

Closing Night: THE LIFE OF CHUCK

Closing the festival on June 7 is the UK premiere of The Life of Chuck, directed by Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, Doctor Sleep) and starring Tom Hiddleston. Adapted from Stephen King’s novella, the film is a genre-defying triptych chronicling three chapters in the life of one man—and the world unraveling around him.

Centerpiece Highlight: DEEP COVER

Serving as the festival’s comedic centerpiece is Deep Cover, a kinetic action comedy directed by Tom Kingsley (Ghosts). The film stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, and Nick Mohammed as improv comics caught up in London’s criminal underworld—a wild collision of awkward laughs and offbeat crime energy.

Other Festival Highlights Include:

• LOVE & RAGE: MUNROE BERGDORF – A powerful documentary chronicling the life of the iconic trans activist and model. It charts her rise to public prominence, media scrutiny, and personal reclamation.

• WHAT IT FEELS LIKE FOR A GIRL (BBC3) – The UK premiere of this raw and darkly comic adaptation of Paris Lees’ memoir. Expect early-2000s chaos, self-discovery, and brutal honesty.

• THE INSTITUTE (MGM+) – The world premiere of this latest Stephen King adaptation, centered on children with supernatural abilities locked inside a sinister facility. Starring Mary-Louise Parker, Ben Barnes, and Joe Freeman, this one’s for the Stranger Things and Firestarter crowd.

With bold premieres, global talent, and genre diversity at its core, SXSW London’s debut promises to be a can’t-miss fusion of cinema and cultural conversation.

🎟️ For tickets and full program info, visit: www.sxswlondon.com