On Swift Horses Rides Into SXSW

South by Southwest is off to the races with the announcement that romantic drama On Swift Horses will be receive its official U.S. premiere at the Film & Television Festival (March 7-15).

After a first round of titles that includes new films and shows from stars including Seth Rogen (The Studio), Ben Affleck (The Accountant 2), and Nicole Kidman (Holland) among dozens of world, U.S., and Texas premieres, and the addition yesterday of eagerly awaited comedy-thriller sequel Another Simple Favor as the opening night film, now there's a closing night title to go with it.

Directed by Daniel Minihan (True Blood, Game of Thrones) and adapted by Bryce Kass from Shannon Pufahl's 2019 novel, On Swift Horses follows Korean War veteran Lee (Will Poulter, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Midsommar) and his wife, Muriel (Daisy Edgar-Jones, Twisters, Normal People) as they start a bright new life together in California. Instead, the arrival of Lee's brother, Julius (Jacob Elordi, Saltburn), throws their world into disarray and triggers a desperate reconsideration of who they are and who they can love. The film also stars Diego Calva (Babylon), Sasha Calle (The Flash), and Don Swayze (Deadwood: The Movie). It will be released by Sony Pictures Classics on April 25.

The new additions to the schedule includes several names that will be more than a little familiar to Austin audiences. Matthew McConaughey returns to the festival for the first time since 2019's screening of The Beach Bum with beekeeping drama The Rivals of Amziah King.

Another familiar name is Margaret Brown. A powerhouse of the Austin documentary scene for SXSW-selected titles including The Great Invisible and Descendant, now she looks at one of the most infamous crimes in the city's history. In 1991, four teenagers – Sarah Harbison, 15; Amy Ayers, 13; Eliza Thomas, 17; and Jennifer Harbison, 17 – were gunned down in the I Can't Believe It's Yogurt! shop. The hunt for the killer or killers, covered extensively by then-Chronicle reporter Jordan Smith (who was interviewed for Brown's series), wrecked lives and has never been solved, leaving a shadow over the city that Brown casts light upon with her multi-part series, The Yogurt Shop Murders.

There'll also be a family reunion of former Austinites. Jay Duplass was already bringing his new film, The Baltimorons, and now he shares producer credit with his brother Mark on Magic Hour starring SXSW veteran Daveed Diggs (Blindspotting), directed by Katie Aselton (The Freebie) and co-written by Aselton with husband Mark.

SXSW 2025 runs March 7-15. More details and info at sxsw.com. And don't forget to follow all our coverage, and dig into the archives, at austinchronicle.com/sxsw. Now, here's all of today's additions.

NARRATIVE SPOTLIGHT

Magic Hour
Director: Katie Aselton, Producers: Emily A. Neumann, Mark Duplass, Mel Eslyn, Jay Duplass, Screenwriters: Mark Duplass, Katie Aselton
Erin and Charlie escape to the desert to navigate an unexpected and challenging new phase of their relationship. Cast: Daveed Diggs, Katie Aselton, Brad Garrett, Susan Sullivan (World Premiere)

The Rivals of Amziah King
Director: Andrew Patterson, Producers: David Heyman, Teddy Schwarzman, Jeffrey Clifford, Michael Heimler, James Montague, Will Greenfield, Screenwriter: James Montague
Charismatic local beekeeper Amziah King oversees a beloved honey operation in the American southwest. When his foster daughter unexpectedly returns, Amziah sets out to bring her into the family business despite facing ruthless competitors with other plans. Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Angelina LookingGlass, Kurt Russell, Jake Horowitz, Scott Shepherd, Rob Morgan, Tony Revolori, Owen Teague, Bruce Davis, Cole Sprouse (World Premiere)

Satisfaction (United States, Ukraine, Greece, Italy, France)
Director/Screenwriter: Alex Burunova, Producers: Rafael Thomaseto, Kyle Stroud, Helena Sardinha, Iryna Asonova
Set against the Greek isles, British composers Lola and Philip’s relationship lingers in silence as she struggles to reclaim her voice. When she meets magnetic Elena and brings her into the fold, tensions rise, forcing Lola to confront her dark past. Cast: Emma Laird, Fionn Whitehead, Zar Amir, Adwoa Aboah (World Premiere)

Summer of 69
Director: Jillian Bell, Producers: Jeremy Garelick, Will Phelps, Molle DeBartolo, Jillian Bell, Breanna Bell-Singer, Matt Skiena, Adam Goodman, Lucas Carter, Screenwriters: Jillian Bell, Liz Nico, Jules Byrne
An awkward high school senior hires an exotic dancer to help seduce her longtime crush before graduation, leading to unexpected friendship and lessons in self-confidence, acceptance, and adulthood. Cast: Chloe Fineman, Sam Morelos, Matt Cornett, Nicole Byer, Liza Koshy, Natalie Morales, Alex Moffat, Fernando Carsa, Paula Pell, Charlie Day (World Premiere)

Sweetness (Canada)
Director/Screenwriter: Emma Higgins, Producers: Taj Critchlow, Daniel Quinn
When a chance encounter with her rockstar crush leads 16 year old Rylee to discover that he's a dysfunctional drug addict, she takes it upon herself to help him, ultimately forcing her teenage fantasies into reality. Cast: Kate Hallett, Herman Tømmeraas, Aya Furukawa, Justin Chatwin, Amanda Brugel, Steven Ogg, Julius Cho (World Premiere)

Trash Baby
Director/Screenwriter: Jacy Mairs, Producers: Jacy Mairs, Karlee Boon, Cameron Holly Dexter
Stevie is stuck at home for yet another sweltering summer in Pine Park. She soon crosses paths with wild not-so-child, Edie, and finds herself grappling with the natural desire to grow up and the reality of what we lose when we do. Cast: Esther Harrison, Chloe Kramer, Eddie Lee Wollrabe, Brianna Paige Dague, Andre Wollrabe, Makenna DeCaro, Serenity Hibbard, Dominic Hendrikz, Nick Sutton, Elijah Carnazzo (World Premiere)

DOCUMENTARY SPOTLIGHT

American Sons
Director: Andrew James Gonzales, Producers: Laura Varela, Andrew James Gonzales, Elizabeth Avellan, Screenwriters: Laura Varela, Andrew James Gonzales
Haunted by a deadly deployment, a Brotherhood of Marines reunites to heal. (World Premiere)

I’m Carl Lewis! (United Kingdom)
Directors: Julie Anderson, Chris Hay, Producers: Ian Davies, Torquil Jones, Chris Hay, John McKenna, Screenwriters: Gabriel Clarke, Chris Hay
In track and field he’s remembered as The Greatest and athletics' first commercially global star. Yet his life is often misunderstood. For the first time, Carl Lewis tells the story surrounding his uncompromising drive. (World Premiere)

24 BEATS PER SECOND

24 Hours of Grace
Director/Screenwriter: Steven Zhu, Producers: Steven Zhu, Izvor Zivkovic, Joslyn Jacoby, Jack Murgatroyd Follow ZHU’s journey as he sets out to reclaim his seat in dance music. Featuring ZHU, Mitch Bell, Aaron Leibowitz, Vince Fossett, Dante Jones, Rush Davis, Freddy Janney (World Premiere)

FESTIVAL FAVORITE

The Librarians

40 Acres (Canada)
Director: R.T. Thorne, Producer: Jennifer Holness, Screenwriter: R.T. Thorne, Glenn Taylor
Hailey Freeman and her family are the last descendants of African American farmers who settled in Canada after the Civil War. In a famine-decimated near future, they make one last stand against a vicious militia hell-bent on taking their 40 Acres. Cast: Danielle Deadwyler, Kataem O'Connor, Michael Greyeyes, Milcania Diaz-Rojas (U.S. Premiere)

Deaf President Now!
Directors: Nyle DiMarco, Davis Guggenheim, Producers: Nyle DiMarco, Davis Guggenheim, Amanda Rohlke, Jonathan King, Michael Harte
During eight tumultuous days in 1988 at the world’s only Deaf university, four students must find a way to lead an angry mob — and change the course of history. (Texas Premiere)

The Librarians
Director: Kim A. Snyder, Producers: Kim A Snyder, Janique L Robillard, Maria Cuomo Cole, Jana Edelbaum
As an unprecedented wave of book banning is sparked in Texas, Florida, and beyond, librarians under siege join forces as unlikely defenders fighting for intellectual freedom on the front lines of democracy. (Texas Premiere)

Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore

Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore
Director: Shoshannah Stern, Producers: Robyn Kopp, Justine Nagan, Bonni Cohen, Shoshannah Stern
In 1987, Marlee Matlin became the first Deaf actor to win an Oscar and was thrust into the spotlight at age 21. Reflecting on her life in American Sign Language, Marlee explores the complexities of what it means to be a trailblazer. Featuring Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur, Henry Winkler, Aaron Sorkin, Lauren Ridloff, John Maucere, Randa Haines, Sian Heder, Shoshannah Stern, Jack Jason (Texas Premiere)

On Swift Horses
Director: Daniel Minahan, Producers: Peter Spears, Daniel Minahan, Tim Headington, Mollye Asher, Theresa Steele Page, Michael D’Alto, Screenwriter: Bryce Kass
Muriel and her husband Lee are about to begin a bright new life, which is upended by the arrival of Lee's brother. Muriel embarks on a secret life, gambling on racehorses and discovering a love she never thought possible. Cast: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Jacob Elordi, Will Poulter, Diego Calva, Sasha Calle (US Premiere)

Sally
Director/Screenwriter: Cristina Costantini, Producers: Cristina Costantini, Lauren Cioffi, Jon Bardin, Dan Cogan
Sally Ride became the first American woman to blast off into space, but beneath her unflappable composure was a secret. Sally’s life partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy, reveals their hidden romance and the sacrifices that accompanied their 27 years together. (Texas Premiere)

Together (Australia)
Director/Screenwriter: Michael Shanks, Producers: Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Mike Cowap, Andrew Mittman, Erik Feig, Max Silva
With a move to the countryside already testing the limits of a couple’s relationship, a supernatural encounter begins an extreme transformation of their love, their lives, and their flesh. Cast: Dave Franco, Alison Brie, Damon Herriman (Texas Premiere)

TV PREMIERE

The Yogurt Shop Murders
Director: Margaret Brown, Producers: Alice Henty, Michael Bloch
In 1991, four teenage girls were brutally murdered at a frozen yogurt shop in Austin. What happened that night continues to mystify the police, the families, and the city. This series explores the complex questions and trauma left by the unsolved case. (World Premiere)

MUSIC VIDEO COMPETITION

Megan Thee Stallion ft. RM - 'Neva Play' / Director: Warren Fu, Carl Jones

XR EXPERIENCE SPOTLIGHT

Symphoni
Director: Ingram Mao, Producer: Seleny Xie
Step into a world of music and magic with Symphoni, techToy Studio’s innovative mixed reality experience. Symphoni reimagines classical music into a rhythm adventure, where conducting meets spell-casting in a way that feels magical yet intuitive.