Story perspectives

South by Southwest 2026: Film Premieres and Controversies Emerge

3/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

The South by Southwest festival in Austin runs March 12-18, 2026, highlighting Texas-connected films.
Their Town, directed by Mark Duplass, and See You When I See You, directed by Jay Duplass, premiere.
The festival also features music documentaries, including A Cowboy in London.
Texas health officials tightened THC product regulations, drawing concerns from retailers.
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is merging its race and gender studies programs, prompting fears of eliminations.

History

Historical Context

The South by Southwest (SXSW) festival began in 1987 in Austin, Texas, highlighting the city's vibrant music and film culture. Over the years, it has expanded to feature over 400 films and 2,000 musical acts annually. Recent THC regulation changes reflect Texas's ongoing drug policy challenges, while program mergers at the University of Texas at San Antonio underscore debates about educational priorities in the state.

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Story summary

The South by Southwest festival in Austin runs March 12-18, 2026, highlighting Texas-connected films.
Their Town, directed by Mark Duplass, and See You When I See You, directed by Jay Duplass, premiere.
The festival also features music documentaries, including A Cowboy in London.
Texas health officials tightened THC product regulations, drawing concerns from retailers.
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is merging its race and gender studies programs, prompting fears of eliminations.

1 / 2