sxsw 2012

21 Jump Street and Mumford & Sons rock doc highlight 2012 SXSW Film Fest

SXSW Film, which runs from March 9 to 17 this year, has released its 2012 Features lineup, which includes the highly anticipated 21 Jump Street remake as the fest’s esteemed Centerpiece film and Emmett Malloy’s rock doc Big Easy Express as the Closing Night film.

The world premiere of 21 Jump Street will screen on Monday, March 12. The film stars Channing Tatum and (Oscar nominee!) Jonah Hill as newly minted police officers going undercover to bust a high school drug ring.

21 Jump Street stars Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill as newly minted police officers going undercover to bust a high school drug ring.

Big Easy Express follows the 2011 tour that took Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and Old Crow Medicine Show on a train ride through the West (including a stop in Austin). Closing out the film conference, the world premiere of the documentary will be Saturday, March 17.

The Narrative Feature Competition and Documentary Feature Competition are each composed of eight world premieres, all in the running for Grand Jury Prizes and Audience Awards.

The eight films in the Narrative Competition are: Booster, directed by Matt Ruskin; Eden, directed by Megan Griffiths; Gayby, directed by Jonathan Lisecki; Gimme the Loot, directed by Adam Leon; Los Chidos, directed by Omar Rodriguez Lopez; Pilgrim Song, directed by Martha Stephens; Starlet, directed by Sean Baker; and The Taiwan Oyster, directed by Mark Jarrett.

The eight films in the Documentary Feature Competition are: Bay of All Saints, directed by Annie Eastman; Beware of Mr. Baker, directed by Jay Bulger; The Central Park Effect, directed by Jeffrey Kimball; Jeff, directed by Chris James Thompson; Seeking Asian Female, directed by Debbie Lum; The Sheik and I, directed by Caveh Zahedi; The Source, directed by Jodi Wille and Maria Demopoulos; and Welcome to the Machine, directed by Avi Zev Weider.

Additional programming highlights include Nelson George’s The Announcement, Gotham Chopra’s Decoding Deepak, Jay & Mark Duplass’ Do-Deca-Pentathalon, Mark Ford’s Uprising: Hip Hop & The LA Riots, Patrick Forbes’ Wikileaks: Secrets & Lies, Adam Sherman’s Crazy Eyes, Jacob Rosenberg’s Waiting for Lightning, Tom Kingsley and Will Sharpe’s Black Pond, Kristen Sheridan’s Dollhouse, Gareth Huw Evans’ The Raid, Ben Shapiro’s Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters, Kristy Guevara-Flanagan’s WONDER WOMEN! The Untold Story of American Superheroines and William Friedkin’s Killer Joe.

SXSW Film had previously announced their Opening Night film, The Cabin in the Woods, plus narrative features Citadel and Small Apartments, and documentaries MARLEY and Beauty is Embarrassing.

Attendees will also get a sneak peek at Lena Dunham's new HBO series Girls — the first three episodes of the show will screen at SXSW.

Attendees will also get a sneak peek at HBO’s new series Girls — the first three episodes of the show, written by and starring Tiny Furniture's Lena Dunham, will screen at SXSW.

We're also excited to see the much-hyped film The Comedy, starring Tim Heidecker; Casa de mi Padre, a Spanish-language film about a drug lord, starring Will Ferrell, Nick Offerman, Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna; the innovative Girl Walk // All Day, which follows dancers around Manhattan as they improvise moves to Girl Talk’s All Day; and Austinite Bob Byington’s Somebody Up There Likes Me.

You can check out the full line-up at sxsw.com/film.

The festival received a record-setting number of submissions this year, and of the 1,957 submitted features, only 130 will screen. Fifty-one of those are from first-time filmmakers, and attendees will be treated to 65 world premieres (plus 17 North American premieres and 10 US premieres).

The Midnighters features and the Short Film program will be announced Feb. 8, so stay tuned for more SXSW Film news.

unspecified

weekend event planner

Here are the top 14 things to do in Houston this weekend

Photo courtesy of RodeoHouston

Houston native Lizzo plays RodeoHouston on Friday, March 13.

We’re officially in rodeo mode, which means Ubers and METRORails will be filled with cowboy hat-wearing folk, heading over to NRG Park and indulging in all the western extravagance.

But there are always other things going on in the city, including the grand opening of a new restaurant, a stage adaptation of a F. Scott Fitzgerald masterwork, the opening night of FotoFest, and the beginning of Jazzy Sundays in the Park.

So, go outside and feel the power of love!

Thursday, March 5

The Green Room Grand Opening
The Green Room, an intimate, 26-seat restaurant next to Heights & Co, will have its grand opening this weekend. This restaurant aims to offer Houstonians a more intimate, technique-driven and hospitality-forward dining experience. The dinner menu will change monthly, with an optional five-course Chef’s Dinner Party menu and a wine program featuring grower champagnes, certified organic producers, and premium wines by the glass. 4 pm.

Mid Main Houston presents First Thursday Block Party
The businesses of Mid Main Mid Main Lofts invite the community to celebrate another First Thursday, benefiting the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation and supporting Team Escalante Express in the upcoming Run for the Rose 5k. The block party will also celebrate the birthday of Jennifer Escalante, the Sig’s Lagoon co-founder who passed away in 2024. This First Thursday honors her lasting impact and legacy within the community. 6 pm.

Akaash Singh: Generational Triumph Tour
Akaash Singh is a nationally touring stand-up comedian, podcaster, and actor. His career took off with many television shows including MTV’s Wild’n Out, Netflix’s Brown Nation, and HBO’s The Leftovers. After finding success in TV, he pivoted his focus toward the podcast Flagrant, co-created with fellow comedian/pal Andrew Schulz. His two-day stop in Houston has him performing four shows, but the early shows are already sold out. Thankfully, the late shows still have tickets. 9 pm.

Friday, March 6

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
The annual Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo features a wide variety of events, including a livestock & horse show, music & concerts, attractions & activities, and daily rodeos. Headlining music performers this weekend include Lizzo, Dwight Yoakam, and Forrest Frank. Weekday rodeos start at 6:45 pm, with the main show happening at around 8:45 pm. Weekend rodeos start at 3:45 pm, with the entertainer taking the stage at approximately 5:45 pm. For a full schedule of events, go to the official website. Through Sunday, March 22. 8 am.

Improv Houston presents Jordan Jensen
Jordan Jensen started comedy in upstate New York before moving to Nashville, where she spent a year working for clubs and taking her comedy on the road in her pickup truck. Last year, she dropped her first Netflix special, Jordan Jensen: Take Me With You, as well as co-star in the Will Arnett-Laura Dern dramedy Is This Thing On? Catch her this weekend at Improv Houston, where she’ll hit audiences with tales of her bizarre upbringing, highly unconventional family, and filterless confessions of her time on this filthy planet. 7:30 & 9:45 pm (7 & 9:30 pm Saturday).

Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center presents The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby, based on the classic American novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is an unforgettable journey of love, wealth and tragedy that brings the Roaring Twenties to life on stage. The story of extravagance and longing features choreography by Dominique Kelley (So You Think You Can Dance), a book by Kait Kerrigan (The Mad Ones), and a jazz- and pop-influenced original score by Jason Howland (Little Women) and Nathan Tysen (Paradise Square). 7:30 pm (2 & 7:30 pm Saturday; 1:30 & 7 pm Sunday).

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Moonlight Movies: Back to the Future
The MFAH begins its annual, month-long, time “Moonlight Movies” series with a screening of a 1985 classic. In Back to the Future, 17-year-old Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is accidentally sent back 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his scientist pal Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd). A headset is provided to each guest for premium sound quality. Guests are encouraged to dress comfortably for weather and backless bench seating, and they are allowed to bring seats or cushions. 8 pm.

Saturday, March 7

The Blue Bird Circle presents Eggstravaganza
The Blue Bird Circle will present Eggstravaganza, their annual Spring Event that will feature a day of shopping, creativity, and community impact. The women-led nonprofit is committed to advancing pediatric neurology research and improving the lives of children with neurological disorders. Entering its 103rd year of service as a staple in the Houston community, the organization has created a lasting legacy built on hope, compassion, and volunteer-driven impact. 10 am.

Exwon.art presents "Blue Triumph: Art Against Colon Cancer" opening reception
"Blue Triumph: Art Against Colon Cancer" is a multifaceted creative exhibition dedicated to celebrating the victories and inspiring the ongoing fight against colon cancer. Running for one month, aligning with Colon Cancer Awareness Month, it will combine visual art, storytelling, and interactive experiences to raise awareness, honor survivors, and fuel the conversation around prevention and research. The exhibition aims to educate, inspire action, and evoke deep emotional responses, reshaping the way art is used to promote health awareness. 4 pm.

FotoFest Opening Night Party
This weekend, celebrate the grand opening of the FotoFest Biennial 2026. Global Visions – FotoFest at 40 marks four decades of groundbreaking photographic arts and education programming in Houston. The central exhibition highlights significant works and themes from each of the 20 previous biennials, from 1986 to 2024, and features work by over 450 artists from 58 countries. Experience an energetic atmosphere filled with creativity, music, and delicious food. 8 pm.

Prauper Studios present Prauper Radio: A Night of UK Soul and R&B
If you dig the soul music that comes out of the U.K., whether it’s legends like Sade and Amy Winehouse or new kids like Olivia Dean and Kwn, Prauper Studios will have a night of DJs playing nothing but British R&B. Come sip, view art, and catch the vibe the selectors are providing for the night. Complimentary RSVPs are available now. $10 admission for guests who’ve missed the RSVP window, but still wish to attend. Limited capacity. Early arrival suggested. 9 pm.

Sunday, March 8

The DeLuxe Theater presents B*tch, You Doin’ a Good Job!
In honor of the 30th anniversary of Spike Lee’s 1996 phone-sex dramedy Girl 6, The DeLuxe Theater will have a special screening and critical conversation centered on the commodification of voice, body, and identity. Following the screening, we will host a dynamic panel discussion examining the intersectionality of sex work, corporate America, and Black womanhood—and how these forces shape economic opportunity, agency, respectability politics, and community impact today. 1 pm.

Jazzy Sundays in the Park
Every Sunday this month at Discovery Green, Jazzy Sundays in the Park will celebrate the vibrancy and rich tradition of jazz as well as the incredible Houstonians who preserve the artform. Guests are encouraged to arrive early and bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Food and drink will be available for purchase, and a pop-up market featuring locally crafted items, food, and wearables will be on site. First up to the stage will be James Francies Trio and Kinder HSPVA Jazz Ensemble. 5 pm.

93’ Til and Swanky Maven present Vinyl & Vibes: A Culinary Spin
93’ Til and Swanky Maven (the nom de plume of Houston creator Felice Sloan) will hit us with an intimate, music-driven dining experience, featuring a four-course dinner by chef Lung Ly with curated cocktail pairings. Each course is inspired by live ’80s R&B and hip-hop spun throughout the night. The experience also includes an optional vinyl exchange and on-site pop-ups by Blessings Plants & Music Houston, creating a seamless night of food, music and connection. 6:30 pm.

Photo courtesy of RodeoHouston

Houston native Lizzo plays RodeoHouston on Friday, March 13.

things to do houston event-planner weekend events