The line-up for the 23rd South by Southwest (SXSW) festival has been announced. The nine-day festival will screen 137 films, including 52 films from first-time filmmakers, 89 world premieres, 14 North American premieres and seven U.S. premieres. Among these will be the world premiere of Billy O’Brien’s new supernatural-thriller I Am Not a Serial Killer, and the North American premiere of Mark Cousin’s hypnotic documentary I Am Belfast.
I Am Not a Serial Killer is an adaptation of Dan Wells’ novel of the same name, follows a 15-year-old who is a diagnosed sociopath. Due to being plagued by constant homicidal urges, he lives by a set of rules designed to keep his violent impulses in check. The film, which shot in Minnesota, features Max Records (Where The Wild Things Are) in the lead, alongside Christopher Lloyd (Back To The Future), and Laura Fraser (Breaking Bad). Nick Ryan of Irish production company Floodland Pictures produce, with John McDonnell and Ruairi Robinson executive producers. The Tea Shop and Film Company’s James Harris and Mark Lane also produce. Financing comes from the Irish Film Board, Quickfire Films, and The Fyzz Facility. Robbie Ryan acts as director of photography on the film, with Starred Up‘s Nick Emerson editor. Post-production was handled by EGG Post in Dublin.
[quote title=”Nick Ryan – I Am Not A Serial Killer, Producer”]We are really excited to be in SXSW, it’s a perfect fit for I Am Not A Serial Killer. Billy, Robbie and myself have been on this journey for a few years now and are delighted for everyone who helped get us here. We have an incredible cast with Chris Lloyd and Max Records and look forward to audiences finally getting to see it![/quote]
[quote title=”Billy O’Brien – I Am Not A Serial Killer, Director]I am delighted to be chosen by SXSW, with its history of picking interesting and innovative films and its quirky mix of both Film and Music.[/quote]
[quote title=”James Hickey – Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board, Chief Executive”]Following an outstanding performance at Sundance this week, I’m happy to see that Irish films continue to be premiered at the world’s top film festivals. SXSW is the perfect launch-pad for this exceptional film, I Am Not A Serial Killer and we’re delighted to have supported Irish director Billy O’Brien’s vision for this film.[/quote]
[quote title=”Andrew Orr – Independent”]I Am Not A Serial Killer is a very exciting film to come from this Irish/UK co-production and we are thrilled to be launching it internationally at SXSW next month.[/quote]
I Am Belfast tells the story of the Northern Ireland capital in a whole new light, through the eyes of a 10,000 year old woman. The film is told in documentary style, with Helena Bereen acting as the 10,000 year old tour guide. A collaborative effort I Am Belfast features cinematography from the award-winning Chungking Express framer Christopher Doyle, with a score by David Holmes, the Belfast born composer and producer whose film soundtracks include Out of Sight, Ocean’s 11 and Hunger. I Am Belfast is a co-production between Hopscotch Films and Canderblinks Films, funded by the BFI, Creative Scotland, Northern Ireland Screen, and Hopscotch Films.
Calvary director John Michael McDonagh’s new film War on Everyone will also play at the festival, as well as Mike Birbiglia’s Don’t Think Twice, Ti West’s In a Valley of Violence, Bobby Miller’s The Master Cleanse, Sophie Goodhart’s My Blind Brother, Simon Atkinson and Adam Townley Shovel Buddies,Alex and Ben Brewer’s The Trust, and Kasra Farahani’s The Waiting.
The SXSW Film Festival runs nine days, simultaneously with the SXSW Film Conference, and celebrates raw innovation and emerging talent both behind and in front of the camera. The 2016 festival runs from March 11th to 19th in Austin, Texas.