SXSW

SXSW Interview: Director Abe Forsythe and Lupita Nyong’o talk about filming Little Monsters in Sydney

While at SXSW, I had the chance to catch up with Aussie director Abe Forsythe (Down Under) and Oscar winning actress Lupita Nyong’o talk talk about their new film Little Monsters – due out later this year. You filmed this in and around Sydney – what was that experience like and Abe, how important was…

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SXSW Interview: Lauren Sanderson on the importance of vulnerability and authenticity

Last Tuesday night, Vevo House at SXSW showcased three emerging performers in front of a packed crowd. Among them was LA based Lauren Sanderson, who made waves last August with her breakthrough EP DONT PANIC! – her second to drop last year, but first to be released through Epic Records, and featuring tracks like “The Only…

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SXSW Wrap-Up: The AU Review and Hello Asia! team up for Official Showcase with San Mei, I Know Leopard, Geowulf and more

On Thursday night in Austin, Texas at Australia House, the very website you’re currently reading, alongside our sister publication Hello Asia! teamed up for our first ever official showcase at SXSW. Three acts from Australia were joined by two from Japan and one from Korea – the first acts from those regions to ever play…

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SXSW Film Festival Review: Show Me The Picture: The Story of Jim Marshall (USA, 2019) is a celebration of the infamous photographer’s rock & roll circus

Imagine the photo shoot for Bob Dylan’s Freewheelin’ or concerts like: Woodstock, Johnny Cash’s gigs at Folsom and San Quentin, and The Beatles’s last official show at Candlestick Park. Most of us would trade our left hands to have been there. But if you were Jim Marshall, you could boast that you went and shot…

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SXSW Film Festival Review: Raise Hell: The Life & Times of Molly Ivins (USA, 2019) examines the politics behind this unsinkable Molly

The Titanic had the Unsinkable Molly Brown. Texas meanwhile, had the unstoppable Molly Ivins. This tall, flame-haired woman was an outspoken, political commentator with a razor-sharp wit. Raise Hell is a documentary that covers every inch of this larger-than-life character. This film is the first documentary to be made about this formidable subject. It’s hard…

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The New Colossus reignites live music in New York’s Lower East Side as international acts warm up for SXSW

The first year of the new showcase festival The New Colossus kicked off on Thursday night, taking over the lower east side of New York City not unlike CMJ had done for so many years. In fact taking over venues like Pianos, The Delancey (home to The Aussie BBQ during CMJ) and Arlene’s Grocery brought…

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San Mei: Meet the Queenslander taking SXSW by storm this week

Hailing from the Gold Coast, Indie Pop Rock rising star San Mei (AKA Emily Hamilton) is in Austin this week to play at the iconic SXSW event, with a run of appearances that includes our very own showcase at the event, which is happening this Thursday night. We caught up with Emily to find out more…

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US Chef Rachael Ray serves up Castlecomer, WAAX and Angie McMahon to play her SXSW 2019 events

Every year at SXSW, US chef Rachael Ray puts on one of the best events – “Feedback” – which takes over Stubb’s BBQ on the Saturday, open to the public, and an invite only “Feedback House” that runs for a few days in accompaniment. Of course the food is amazing, but the music is even…

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SXSW Film Review: For Sama (Syria, 2019) is an emotionally gripping diary in film form

For Sama is an emotionally gripping diary filmed by journalist Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts. Kateab recorded her life during the Battle of Aleppo (2012-16) in Syria. She had a mission: to bring light on the injustices on Syrians under President Assad’s regime and the fight for freedom. Not only did she cover what was…

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SXSW: A look inside the Presidential Library dedicated to Donald J. Trump’s Tweets

Built in 1886 and sitting on the corner of Brazos and 6th Street, The Driskill Hotel is Austin’s oldest operating hotel. Positioned right around the Austin’s Capitol, it has a illustrious history when it comes to American Presidential History. This week at SXSW, it’s home to the ever-unfolding modern history of current US President Donald…

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Geowulf: We meet the Aussie duo making waves overseas ahead of their SXSW debut

Originally from the Sunshine Coast, and now based in the UK, Australian duo Star Kendrick & Toma Banjanin make up the rising outfit Geowulf. They’re in Austin this week to play at the iconic SXSW event, with a run of appearances that includes our very own showcase at the event, which is happening this Thursday…

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SXSW Film Review: Human Nature (USA, 2019) describes powerful science & possibilities from tomorrow

At SXSW 2017, American biochemist, Jennifer Doudna was telling everybody about CRISPR. Allow me one last Human Nature reference… Doudna was telling the last ones to know about a new technology that has the potential to alter genes. Human Nature is a documentary that takes a deep dive into this fascinating scientific world, and chronicles…

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SXSW Film Review: Well Groomed (USA, 2019) is well intentioned, oddly emotionally investing, and full of heart

As new dog grooming business owner (and one of Well Groomed‘s fascinating human subjects) Nicole Beckman states during her introduction that competitive dog grooming was always something she thought as being “just silly” before entering the competitive stakes herself, her initial thoughts are likely to be mirrored by many unversed in the ways of competitive…

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SXSW Film Review: Little Monsters (Australia, 2019) proves an instant classic of the Zombie Comedy genre

At the age of 37, Australian writer and director Abe Forsythe has already had a truly impressive output of films. At the age of 21, he put out the memorable (if maligned) Ned, in the same year as the Heath Ledger film, and has since delivered us great comedies in both short and long form, including…

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Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen’s hilarious new comedy Long Shot throws epic Premiere with Boyz II Men

Tonight at the Paramount Theatre at SXSW, Long Shot, the new romantic comedy starring Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen, had its first ever public screening. Not due for release until the start of May, the film sees the pair playing something akin to star-crossed lovers, with a political bend; Theron starring as America’s Secretary of…

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Here are all the UK acts playing the British Music Embassy at SXSW 2019

The British Music Embassy returns to SXSW this weekend for its 12th year, taking over Latitude 30 with a slew of events and live performances from 10th to 16th March, and special interactive events from the 8th to the 10th. And though a lot of these events were announced last month, there have been a…

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Angie McMahon to join Mavis Staples at Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion Festival in Texas

Last year we were lucky enough to attend Luck Reunion festival in Texas; an event held during SXSW about an hour out of Austin on Willie Nelson’s ranch in Luck, Texas. Aussie artist Ruby Boots was among the impressive line-up this year, and now Australia’s own Angie McMahon will be joining the 2019 event –…

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Interview: Luke from I Know Leopard talks heading to SXSW for the first time

Ahead of their appearance at our first ever SXSW night showcase, we caught up with Luke from Sydney’s I Know Leopard. This will be the band’s first trip to Austin for the iconic music festival and conference, so we thought we’d sit down with the band and get the low down on their expectations, anticipations and…

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Aussie comedian Ronny Chieng joins a packed Comedy Festival lineup for SXSW 2019

The SXSW Comedy Festival grows every year, and this year is without question its most packed lineup ever, with comedians from Tim and Eric, Broad City, The Daily Show (including Australia’s own Ronny Chieng) and iconic favourites like Kathy Griffin, Todd Barry and Paul F. Tompkins. The roster – including stand-up showcases, improv performances, conversations, podcast recordings,…

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Australia House music showcases revealed for SXSW 2019

Set times have now officially been released for the second annual Australia House, taking place during SXSW in Austin, Texas. For over ten years, SOUNDS AUSTRALIA has been to thank for bolstering the success of many globally recognised and adored Australian artists. This year sees SOUNDS AUSTRALIA celebrating their 10th anniversary (along with the AU Review!) as they return…

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The Capital One House at SXSW has announced a PACKED lineup for 2019

The Capital One House at Antone’s always has an impressive lineup; but this year’s collection of acts from around the world just might take the cake. The event, which runs alongside the Interactive portion of SXSW, often hosts exclusive performances ahead of the main music conference, with world class artists who need little introduction nor the…

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the AU review announces its first ever SXSW official showcase as final 10th Birthday celebration with Hello Asia!

In our 10th year of covering SXSW on the AU review, we’re thrilled to reveal the lineup for our first ever official showcase at the iconic Austin event. Partnering with our sister publication Hello Asia!, the event will feature three Australian acts and two acts from Japan and one from Korea. It’s all happening at…

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Prepare your FOMO: This intimate, Delta Spirit-curated festival on a ranch during SXSW sounds incredible

Those following our coverage of SXSW last year might remember we headed along to Willie Nelson’s festival Luck Reunion, which is held on his ranch about an hour out of Austin. Well this year, Matthew Logan Vasquez of Delta Spirit is curating an incredibly intimate experience which seems inspired by Nelson’s, dubbed the “Revival Experience at…

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Pet Sematary world premiere announced alongside a fresh lineup of Aussie talent added to SXSW Film Festival 2019

Every March, the SXSW Film Festival takes place in Austin, Texas – and it’s home to some of the biggest and most exciting world premieres alongside the freshest up-and-coming features and shirts. From March 8–17, the 2019 event will be celebrating a lineup of 131 Feature Films, 101 Short Films (including Music Videos), 5 Episodic…

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SXSW 2019 just got even bigger: Here’s everything you need to know

The SXSW Conference and Festival, or South by Southwest, recently announced additions to its massive line up of showcasing artists for 2019. For several decades now, this Texas based event has been celebrating music, film and interactive media and has turned into a hot spot for connecting with other international artist, labels, and audiences. Being…

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Five Aussie acts set to make waves at SXSW Festival 2019 in Austin, Texas

South By Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival is an annual conference held in Austin, Texas, and is the number one hot spot for eyeing down your fav new artists. Mixed with a bunch of industry legends and newbies from around the world, artists perform in front of industry professionals, media and fans at venues ranging from…

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Interview: Hyun Lee on Asian Girls and the benefits of diversity in film funding

Earlier this year, we sat down with Hyun Lee, the director of a short film called Asian Girls which screened at SXSW in Austin, Texas and then at the Sydney Film Festival. We talked about the making of the film, working with Rainbow Chan, and the benefits and importance of diversity in film funding. It’s…

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Shirley Manson with Lauren Mayberry set to speak at SXSW as first speakers revealed

“As a premier destination for innovation and creative discovery, SXSW is proud to begin our 2019 season by announcing a strong and dynamic group of leaders, storytellers, and visionaries holding important conversations about the challenges and opportunities ahead of us.” South by Southwest have announced their first wave of keynote and featured speakers for the…

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SXSW opens up applications for its 2019 Film Festival

Attention filmmakers! Film submissions for the 2019 SXSW (South by Southwest) Film Festival are now open, providing both established and aspiring filmmakers alike to jump on board! Once again held in Austin, Texas, the 2019 Festival is set to take place from 8-17 March. The SXSW offers filmmakers a life changing opportunity, ranging from feature…

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Interview: Ari Aster, Alex Wolff and Milly Shapiro on the making of Hereditary

Just about every horror movie leading up to release is dubbed “scariest. ever” because that’s the way hype works. “Scary” is what pulls us into horror movies and often creates unfair expectations which leave us – especially horror buffs – bitterly disappointed. As someone who is fairly well-versed in horror and finds something to love…

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