SXSW Film Festival 2012: Opening Night Film Announced, Joss Whedon and Lena Dunham to be in Attendance

SXSW 2012 begins in a mere two months, so it’s about time they started releasing bits and pieces of the film festival lineup. Announced today were the opening night film and a few others -- it looks like The Cabin in the Woods, a not-your-average horror film directed by Drew Goddard (who wrote Cloverfield) and produced and co-written by Joss Whedon, will get the party started on March 9. Whedon will attend the premiere and will also be on hand for a Conversation panel during the Film Conference on March 10.

Other titles announced include a fun surprise from SXSW alum Lena Dunham (Tiny Furniture). She, along with Executive Producer Judd Apatow and other members of the production team, will present the first three episodes of Girls, a new HBO series set to premiere in April. Tiny Furniture was one of our favorites from SXSW 2010 (you can catch it on Netflix Instant and it’s being released on Criterion DVD on Feb. 14), and we’re excited to catch the premiere of her next project (check out the teaser below).

The rest of the films named thus far: a Bob Marley documentary (MARLEY), a black comedy with James Caan and Billy Crystal (Small Apartments), a portrait of the artist Wayne White (Beauty is Embarrassing), and a psychological thriller and debut from writer/director Ciaran Foy (CITADEL). The Oyster Princess, the Ernst Lubitsch silent film from 1919, will also screen with a live score by Bee vs. Moth, and overall the festival will include over 100 panels, workshops and mentor sessions, as well.

SXSW Film Badges are available now, and you have through Jan. 13 (that’s tomorrow, y’all) to get them at a reduced rate. The festival takes place March 9-17, and we’ll be sure to keep you updated as more film titles, special guests and events are announced.