Editor

SXSW Announces Call For Entries and Festival Updates

The 2005 edition of the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival has announced its annual call for entries. Submissions in all categories are now being accepted by the festival, and applicants can submit via the festival Web site (www.sxsw.com/film). The 2005 festival will be held March 11-19, 2005 in Austin, TX.

"After the wild success of the 2004 festival, we're very excited to
begin planning the programs for March 2005," says Matt Dentler, the
Festival Producer for SXSW. The 2004 SXSW Film Festival drew record
numbers of attendees from all over the world.

Meanwhile, SXSW is pleased to announce that independent film business
pioneer John Pierson (author of "Spike, Mike, Slackers, & Dykes") has
joined the festival's staff. Pierson and his family recently relocated
to Austin from New York. He will be involved with the programming of
films and panels, as well as scouting for SXSW at other events.

"It's a total pleasure to have John on board with us," says Dentler.
"I've admired his work in the business for years, and I know he'll add
a tremendous amount of excitement to SXSW."

In addition to this, popular comic actor and Mr. Show co-creator Bob
Odenkirk has signed on to create the festival trailers for SXSW 2005.
Odenkirk's feature directorial debut, "Melvin Goes To Dinner," won an
Audience Award at the 2003 SXSW Film Festival. Odenkirk's trailers will
screen before each program at the 2005 festival. Past trailer creators
include: Ron Mann, Lee Daniel, and Dan Brown.

SXSW 2004 selections that have obtained distribution since screening at
the festival include: "Bush's Brain" (Tartan Films), "Falling Angels"
(Film Movement), "Gozu" (Pathfinder Pictures), "Mail Order Wife" (First
Independent Pictures), "Mind The Gap" (Showtime), and "Straight-Jacket"
(here! Films).