Austin, Texas – The South by Southwest Film & TV Festival recently shifted its focus from star-studded premieres at Austin’s Paramount Theatre to highlight the independent film and TV projects that form the majority of its lineup. The festival announced the jury awards for its 2025 edition, recognizing outstanding talent and creativity in various categories.
Among the winners, Amy Wang’s “Slanted” took home the top prize in the narrative feature competition. The film, a high school comedy challenging beauty standards, received praise for its audacious approach and thematic depth. Wang, known for her work on the upcoming “Crazy Rich Asians” sequel, delves into the complexities of racial identity in a thought-provoking manner.
The jury, made up of industry professionals, commended Wang’s directorial vision and the film’s exploration of personal experiences. In addition to “Slanted,” special jury awards were given to other talented individuals in the industry, including Annapurna Sriram for “Fucktoys” and Amanda Peet for her performance in “Fantasy Life.”
In the documentary feature competition, Benjamin Flaherty’s “Shuffle” stood out for shedding light on America’s fraudulent addiction referral industry. The film offers a poignant look at the profit-driven motives behind the billion-dollar recovery business, emphasizing the importance of patient safety.
The festival also recognized exceptional talent in other categories, such as the best canine performance award given to Indy from “Good Boy,” a horror film told from a dog’s perspective. Audience awards are still up for grabs as voting continues, with winners scheduled to be announced later in the week.
Overall, the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival serves as a platform for emerging filmmakers and industry professionals to showcase their work and receive well-deserved recognition. The diverse range of projects presented at the festival illustrates the creative depth and innovation present in independent cinema and television. The jury’s thoughtful deliberations and the audience’s engagement further highlight the significance of events like SXSW in celebrating artistic excellence.