SXSW 2022 Preview + Hot List: Return To In-Person Fest After Three Years Brings Optimism To Sellers

deadline.com:

There’s a euphoria among film sellers and buyers as SXSW finally convenes Friday in Austin, TX after a three-year pandemic shutdown.With the last two editions of the Sundance Film Festival being virtual, and the hybrid edition of TIFF seeing reduced capacities, few industry execs and a muted atmosphere, SXSW marks the return to packed, receptive audiences; actual live pulses which can trigger good reviews and social media wattage, culminating in what some believe could be an active sales market here in Texas’ capital.SXSW has a knack for programming comedies, genre and genre-twisted features; titles which are best experienced by a reactive audience.

Sellers previously told Deadline that virtual viewing of such fare at recent fests doesn’t really help their cause. While SXSW is enforcing vax cards and mask-wearing indoors, screenings will be at full capacity.

In 2019, SXSW drew a reported 73K attendees alone to the film portion of their annual multimedia event.Pre-pandemic, the feature acquisition activity at SXSW was never at the frenzy, nor lucrative levels of Sundance where buyers and sellers are known to stay up late haggling.

That’s not to say that it hasn’t had its all-night auction moments, i.e. the seven-figure deal for Undefeated  back in 2011, which ultimately won the Oscar for Best Documentary.