SXSW25' Glorious Summer Makes Its World Premiere at SXSW on March 8—A Haunting Tale of Escape and Rebellion

Glorious Summer brings a surreal story of isolation and escape to SXSW, premiering March 8.

As we gear up for Slamdance this week, we’re also setting our sights on SXSW, where a lineup of exciting films awaits. One title that has our attention is Glorious Summer, the latest from Helena Ganjalyan and Bartosz Szpak.

Set in a sun-drenched Renaissance palace, the film follows three women living in a state of suspended reality, where summer never ends, and an enigmatic system provides for their every need—food, entertainment, and a daily routine of wellness affirmations. There’s only one rule: they are forbidden to cross the surrounding wall. As cracks begin to form in their idyllic world, they secretly practice a “touch language” for things that can’t be said aloud and prepare for an escape they believe will take them to “another place.” But with long-suppressed anger and a desperate need for freedom bubbling to the surface, will they finally break free from the system’s grip?

Glorious Summer makes its World Premiere at SXSW on Saturday, March 8, at 3 PM, with two additional screenings to follow. Stay tuned for more updates from SXSW and a closer look at this intriguing, genre-bending film in the weeks ahead.

Directors: Helena Ganjalyan, Bartosz Szpak

Producers: Maria Gołoś, Monika Matuszewska

Screenwriters: Helena Ganjalyan, Bartosz Szpak

Cinematographer: Tomasz Woźniczka

Editor: Alan Zejer

Production Designer: Katarzyna Tomczyk

Sound Designer: Marcin Jachyra, Maciej Amilkiewicz

Music: Bartosz Szpak

Principal Cast: Magdalena Fejdasz-Hanczewska, Helena Ganjalyan, Daniela Komędera, Weronika Humaj

Co-financed by: Polish Film Institute

SXSW Screening Schedule:

Violet Crown Cinema 2 - Saturday, March 8 at 3:00 pm w/ Filmmaker Q&A

Violet Crown Cinema 2 - Monday, March 10 at 11:30 am w/ Filmmaker Q&A

Alamo Lamar 7 - Thursday, March 13 at 6:45 pm