Celebrating its 40th anniversary, SXSW 2026 officially kicks off March 12th under the unified theme “All Together Now.” In a departure from recent years, the Innovation, Music, and Film & TV festivals are running simultaneously, transforming Austin into a singular, high-energy hub for creative convergence.

The Film & TV Festival opens with the highly anticipated world premiere of Boots Riley’s I Love Boosters, featuring a star-studded cast including Keke Palmer and Demi Moore. On the Innovation stage, legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg leads a marquee lineup of speakers alongside former First Lady Michelle Obama and Jane Fonda. Meanwhile, the Music Festival boasts over 4,400 performers, headlined by legacy acts like The All-American Rejects and Alanis Morissette, who is celebrating Spotify’s 20th anniversary. With new dedicated “clubhouses” for each track, this year’s festival emphasizes a return to its roots of serendipitous networking and boundary-pushing storytelling.

What would your perfect day at SXSW look like? This video provides a deep dive into the most anticipated screenings and titles for this year’s festival, helping you prioritize your viewing schedule. SXSW 2026 Film Festival Preview