In Which We Are Less Than 12 Days From Opening Night [SXSW Film News]

There are days that happen every year that just sneak up on you. It's the reason that people are speeding to the post office at 11:55pm on April 15th, dashing through the mall on December 24th and why gas stations sell those cheesy individually wrapped roses; sometimes life happens and the days between now and some epoch dissipate without so much as a save-the-date postcard. That's how we feel about March 12th, 2010, the first day of SXSW Film. In advance of our impending barrage of coverage, let's all take a deep breath and digest a couple of nuggets of news.

Film Passes are now on sale! What we consider to be the absolute best value of SXSW, the Film Pass is $70 and available for purchase at Waterloo Records and all Original Alamo Drafthouse locations (translation: the Ritz, the Village and South Lamar). If you think about it, the simple division of nine days of film into a $70 price point equals $7.77 per day, or less than any first run movie ticket that you have bought in the last five years. Add to that equation the fact that you will most likely see more than one movie per day and this thing is a steal at twice the price. Now, let's set some expectations: all badge holders will have access to the theater before you, meaning that you may not get to see your first choice in any time slot, but if you plan accordingly (aim for larger venues or less popular screenings) and you'll be golden. We saw about 20 films using a film pass in 2005 and highly recommend it.

On the same thought pattern of tickets/badges/etc, South By has also announced a new advanced ticketing system this year that could hopefully ease some of the traffic jams that have occured in the past at smaller venues. Starting at 10am every day, Platinum, Gold and Film badge holders will be able to pick up SXXpress Passes at the Austin Convention Center that will allow them to jump to the head of the line for up to two screenings of their choice. SXXpress Film Passes will guarantee a seat if used no later than 30 minutes before a film starts. From what we've heard, no more than 10% of a venue's capacity will be handed out in the form of SXXpress Passes, so don't go getting your panties in a wad about never being able to get into a screening because of these line-jumping aids. The early bird gets the worm, but only 10% of the worm, as it were.

For a complete run down of how ticketing and venue entry works, check out this little video. It's pretty obvious information, but it's worth a watch for the adorable little Weeble People who file into the theater. *Cute*

According to Austin360.com, two of this year's films will have a simultaneous release with their SXSW screening dates via the iTunes Movie Store and Amazon.com. Erasing David, a feature documentary about erasing your presence from a surveilance-heavy state, premieres March 12th. Crying With Laughter, a debut feature from Scottish filmmaker Justin Molotnikov, premieres March 14. Both movies will be available on demand through Comcast, Time Warner, Verizon and Cox cable providers starting April 1st. [Crying Site] [Erasing David Site]

We don't remember anyone setting up a permanent hospitality suite in past years, but the Independent Film Channel will be doing just that March 12th - 21st. The IFC Crossroads House will be open every day of the festival from 11am - 7pm at 612 Brazos (just up the block from the Driskill Hotel and just around the corner from the Paramount Theater). All that you need to gain entrance is a badge, wristband or screening ticket stub, and once you're in you'll be treated to a free continental breakfast every morning and a free coffee bar all day. There will aso be interviews and band performances every day at noon, including sets from Broken Social Scene, She & Him, The Black Angels, Neon Indian, Frightened Rabbit and many others. We're sure the place will be packed, but we're sure it's going to be totally awesome.

While we were sleeping, SXSW announced that Four Lions, a film from Chris Morris, the creator of one of our favourite UK TV series, Brass Eye. From SXSW: "Four Lions tells the compelling story of a bunch of British jihadis who push their abstract dreams of glory to the breaking point. As the wheels fly off and their competing ideologies clash they stumble from misapprehension to cock-up in a dangerous, hilarious but emotionally engaging and entirely plausible farce. " Several other films were also added to the lineup including American Grindhouse, Skateland, Waking Sleeping Beauty and When You're Strange - a film about the Doors.