[UPDATED 3/17/19]
SAGindie has returned from SXSW 2019, and boy howdy did we have a full schedule. First up was our “Hiring Actors For Your Indie Film” workshop, where we chatted with up-and-coming filmmakers about the various SAG-AFTRA low budget contracts. Next was our SAGindie/SAG-AFTRA booth in the Trade Show, where folks from the film, music, and tech worlds converged to wander around a large exhibitor hall searching for swag. Finally, we hosted a happy hour cocktail party with the DGA for film fest attendees. Other stuff happened at the festival too, like keynotes and films, but those didn’t directly involve us so we’re a little less braggy about them. But you should check them out!
SXSW 2019 Film Keynote: Olivia Wilde

2019 SXSW Film Award Winners:
Feature Film Grand Jury Awards
- Grand Jury Winner – Narrative Feature: Alice
 - Special Jury Recognition for Best Ensemble – Narrative Feature: Yes God Yes
 - Special Jury Recognition for Breakthrough Voice – Narrative Feature: Saint Frances
 - Grand Jury Winner – Documentary Feature: For Sama
 - Special Jury Recognition for Empathy in Craft – Documentary Feature: Ernie & Joe
 - Special Jury Recognition for Excellence in Storytelling – Documentary Feature: Nothing Fancy: Diana Kennedy
 
Short Film Jury Awards
- Jury Award Winner – Narrative Short: Liberty
 - Special Jury Recognition – Narrative Short: The Orphan
 - Jury Award Winner – Documentary Short: Exit 12
 - Special Jury Recognition – Documentary Short: All Inclusive
 - Jury Award Winner – Midnight Shorts: Other Side of the Box
 - Jury Award Winner – Animated Shorts: Guaxuma
 - Special Jury Recognition – Animated Shorts: Slug Life
 - Jury Award Winner – Music Videos: Hurray for the Riff Raff, “Pa’Lante”
 - Special Jury Recognition for Acting – Music Videos: Moses Sumney, “Quarrel”
 - Jury Award Winner – Texas Shorts: I Am Mackenzie
 - Special Jury Recognition – Texas Shorts: A Line Birds Cannot See
 - Jury Award Winner – Texas High School Shorts: Fifteen
 - Special Jury Recognition – Texas High School Shorts: Double Cross
 - Jury Award Winner – Episodic Pilot: Maggie
 - Special Jury Recognition – Episodic Pilot: Revenge Tour
 
SXSW Virtual Cinema Jury Awards
- Jury Award Winner – 360° Video Documentary: Send Me Home
 - Jury Award Winner – 360° Video Narrative: Metro Veinte: Cita Ciega
 - Jury Award Winner – Interactive: Runnin’
 - Jury Award Winner – Storytelling: Gloomy Eyes
 - Best Use of Immersive Arts: Home After War
 - Special Jury Recognition: The Future of Experience
 
SXSW Film Design Awards
- Jury Award Winner – Excellence in Poster Design: Daniel Isn’t Real
 - Jury Award – Excellence in Title Design: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
 - Special Jury Recognition – Excellence in Title Design: The Darkest Minds
 
SXSW Special Awards
- Karen Schmeer Film Editing Fellowship: Victoria Chalk
 - Vimeo Staff Picks Award: Milton
 - ZEISS Cinematography Award: Bruno Murtinho, Amazonia Groove
 - Louis Black “Lone Star” Award: The River and the Wall
 - Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award: Tito
 - CherryPicks Female First Feature Award: Josephine Mackerras, Alice
 - CherryPicks Special Recognition: Catalina Arroyave Restrepo, Days of the Whale
 
SXSW Audience Awards
- Audience Award – Narrative Feature Competition: Saint Frances
 - Audience Award – Documentary Feature Competition: For Sama
 - Audience Award – Narrative Spotlight: The Peanut Butter Falcon
 - Audience Award – Documentary Spotlight: Running With Beto
 - Audience Award – Visions: The Garden Left Behind
 - Audience Award – Midnighters: Boyz In The Wood
 - Audience Award – Episodic Premieres: Ramy
 - Audience Award – Global: Cachada: The Opportunity
 - Audience Award – Festival Favorites: Raise Hell: The Life & Times of Molly Ivins
 - Audience Award – Excellence in Title Design: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
 
Congrats to all of this year’s SXSW Film winners!
WHAT WERE YOUR SXSW 2019 HIGHLIGHTS?
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If you’re an independent filmmaker or know of an independent film-related topic we should write about, email blogadmin@sagindie.org for consideration.

