SXSW revealed Thursday that Joss Whedon and Judd Apatow, two of the smartest producers and writers in Hollywood today, are on the list of presenters for the 2012 SXSW Film Conference.
Whedon, the iconic genre storyteller known most famously for updating Buffy the Vampire Slayer, comes to SXSW with his new film The Cabin in the Woods, which he produced and co-wrote with director and Emmy-nominated writer Drew Goddard (Lost and Alias).
This new collaboration is a deconstruction of the classic "horror film in the woods" setting, and stars big names like Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Richard Jenkins (Six Feet Under) and Bradley Whitford (The West Wing). The film hits theaters April 13, but you can see it a full month earlier with a Film badge.
Comedy leader Judd Apatow will also be in attendance at the conference for his work as executive producer on the new Lena Dunham series for HBO, Girls. You may remember Dunham as the writer, director and star of the SXSW fan favorite Tiny Furniture.
Dunham is being praised for her realistic depiction of life for broke 20-somethings in New York, a role model for the everywoman in America. You can decide for yourself if Dunham is destined to become the next Carrie Fisher at the SXSW premiere of the three first episodes of the series.
“Announcing the first films of our program is always energizing, but we're especially thrilled to have such a smart, unpredictable and highly entertaining headliner like The Cabin in the Woods as our Opening Night film,” SXSW Film Conference and Festival Producer Janet Pierson said in a press release. “We're also happy to offer a peek at a handful of wonderful films that demonstrate the breadth and range of terrific work we plan to show at SXSW Film 2012.”
Other world premieres include Academy Award-winning documentarian Kevin Macdonald's new Bob Marley documentary, simply named Marley. Neil Berkeley debuts his new documentary, Beauty is Embarrassing, about multimedia pop culture artist Wayne White. And for the weirdest casting, there's a black comedy called Small Apartments that amazingly stars Billy Crystal, James Caan, Rosie Perez, Johnny Knoxville and Dolph Lundgren.
These are just five of the screenings that will run over the nine days of SXSW Film, which will also include more than 100 panels, workshops, mini-meetings and mentor sessions. Further details of panels and guests will continue to roll out as we get closer to the event.
