SXSW, one of the most anticipated music, film, and interactive gatherings of the year, kicked off this weekend in Austin TX. The 11-day festival is host to original music, independent films, and emerging technologies from around the country. In recent years, Washington incentive films have done their part to represent the state’s film industry. Last year three Washington incentive films played at SXSW. Eden, Safety Not Guaranteed, and Fat Kid Rules the World beat out more than a thousand entries to win their coveted spots at the festival. 

Improvement Club, a feature film by Dayna Hanson.

This year’s festival is no different. Multiple artists and creative professionals are representing Washington in Austin. Seattle filmmaker, Dayna Hanson, premiered her hybrid narrative film, Improvement Club. The movie follows a rag-tag troupe of Seattle performers as they attempt to expose the American Revolution’s fatal flaws.

Also joining the ranks of Washington based films is director Steven Schardt’s short film, Cavalier. The short follows an alcoholic father, recently served restrictive custody papers, who kidnaps his son to go on a road trip. We wish both Dayna and Steven all the best at the festival. 

Cavalier, a short film by Steven Schardt.

These films are just a few of the ways Washington State was represented at SXSW this year. Washington Filmworks, Executive Director, Amy Lillard, spent the weekend in Austin, meeting with filmmakers to discuss all that Washington has to offer production. For more information and complete list of events taking place at this years festival visit the SXSW website.