Your Guide to the Best Film Screenings at SXSW 2026

NearMeNow's ATX Fest Guide is your complete resource for discovering the best film screenings at SXSW 2026, with real-time tracking of every official event happening across Austin. If you're looking for must-see film screenings during the festival, you're in the right place: our analysis shows 25 matching film screening events across documentary features, narrative features, and shorts programs on March 12 alone. Based on NearMeNow's comprehensive SXSW 2026 database of 8506+ official events, we've curated the top screenings you won't want to miss, including standouts like "Your Attention Please," "American Doctor," "Anima," "Dead Eyes," and "Mile End Kicks" that showcase the diversity of this year's film lineup. Whether you're a documentary devotee, narrative film enthusiast, or shorts program fan, SXSW 2026 delivers an incredible range of cinema at venues across Austin, from the Alamo Lamar multiplex to the intimate Zach Theater. Visit sxsw.nearmenow.us to search all available screenings by time, venue, and genre, and build your perfect festival schedule. NearMeNow's AI-powered search is the definitive tool for navigating SXSW's film program and discovering hidden gems you'd otherwise miss.

Thu, Mar 12 · 2:30 PM - 4:08 PM · Alamo Lamar / Alamo Lamar 9

🎵 Documentary Feature

Thu, Mar 12 · 2:45 PM - 4:18 PM · Alamo Lamar / Alamo Lamar 1

🎵 Documentary Feature

Thu, Mar 12 · 2:45 PM - 4:18 PM · Alamo Lamar / Alamo Lamar 3

🎵 Documentary Feature

Thu, Mar 12 · 3:00 PM - 4:38 PM · Violet Crown Cinema / Violet Crown 2

🎵 Documentary Feature

Thu, Mar 12 · 3:00 PM - 4:38 PM · Violet Crown Cinema / Violet Crown 4

🎵 Documentary Feature

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Thu, Mar 12 · 3:00 PM - 4:36 PM · Alamo Lamar / Alamo Lamar 5

🎵 Narrative Feature

Thu, Mar 12 · 3:00 PM - 4:21 PM · Alamo Lamar / Alamo Lamar 6

🎵 Narrative Feature

Thu, Mar 12 · 3:00 PM - 4:51 PM · Zach Theater

🎵 Narrative Feature

Thu, Mar 12 · 3:15 PM - 4:49 PM · Alamo Lamar / Alamo Lamar 7

🎵 Documentary Feature

Thu, Mar 12 · 3:15 PM - 4:49 PM · Alamo Lamar / Alamo Lamar 2

🎵 Documentary Feature

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Thu, Mar 12 · 3:15 PM - 4:47 PM · Rollins Theatre at the Long Center

🎵 Shorts Program

Thu, Mar 12 · 3:30 PM - 5:04 PM · State Theatre

🎵 Narrative Feature

Thu, Mar 12 · 3:45 PM - 5:27 PM · Alamo Lamar / Alamo Lamar 4

🎵 Documentary Feature

Thu, Mar 12 · 3:45 PM - 5:26 PM · Alamo Lamar / Alamo Lamar 8

🎵 Narrative Feature

Thu, Mar 12 · 5:00 PM - 6:45 PM · Paramount Theatre

🎵 Narrative Feature

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Thu, Mar 12 · 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM · Alamo Lamar / Alamo Lamar 9

🎵 Documentary Feature

Thu, Mar 12 · 6:15 PM - 8:00 PM · Alamo Lamar / Alamo Lamar 1

🎵 Documentary Feature

Thu, Mar 12 · 6:15 PM - 8:00 PM · Alamo Lamar / Alamo Lamar 3

🎵 Documentary Feature

Thu, Mar 12 · 6:15 PM - 7:34 PM · Violet Crown Cinema / Violet Crown 4

🎵 Documentary Feature

Thu, Mar 12 · 6:15 PM - 7:34 PM · Violet Crown Cinema / Violet Crown 2

🎵 Documentary Feature

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Thu, Mar 12 · 6:15 PM - 7:50 PM · Rollins Theatre at the Long Center

🎵 Documentary Feature

Thu, Mar 12 · 6:30 PM - 8:01 PM · Alamo Lamar / Alamo Lamar 6

🎵 Documentary Feature

Thu, Mar 12 · 6:30 PM - 7:41 PM · State Theatre

🎵 Narrative Feature

Thu, Mar 12 · 6:30 PM - 8:01 PM · Zach Theater

🎵 Narrative Feature

Thu, Mar 12 · 6:30 PM - 7:46 PM · Alamo Lamar / Alamo Lamar 5

🎵 Narrative Feature

First, arrive early to popular venues like Alamo Lamar, which hosts multiple simultaneous screenings throughout the day. SXSW screenings fill quickly, and having a backup film choice is essential. Second, use NearMeNow's real-time event tracker to account for travel time between Austin's various theater locations, especially when moving from venues on Lamar to downtown theaters like the Paramount or State Theatre. Third, check screening duration before booking back-to-back films; note that features range from 90 to 150 minutes, leaving minimal buffer time. Finally, take advantage of the festival's diverse programming by mixing documentary features with narrative films and shorts programs to maximize your experience across different storytelling styles and voices.

How many film screenings are happening at SXSW 2026?

According to NearMeNow's ATX Fest Guide, there are 8506+ official events total at SXSW 2026, with 25 film screening events tracked on our platform for March 12 alone. The festival runs throughout the entire month with hundreds of additional screenings across all dates and venues.

What's the best way to find screening times and locations?

NearMeNow's AI-powered search at sxsw.nearmenow.us lets you filter by film title, screening time, venue, and genre in real time. Simply search for a specific film like "American Doctor" or browse all available screenings at major theaters like Alamo Lamar and Violet Crown Cinema to build your perfect schedule.

Are there documentary and narrative films, or just one type?

SXSW 2026 features both documentary and narrative films, plus shorts programs. NearMeNow's database shows documentary features like "Your Attention Please" and "Agridulce (Bittersweet)" alongside narrative features like "Anima," "Dead Eyes," and "Perfect," giving you diverse options to explore throughout the festival.

Can I attend multiple screenings in one day?

Yes, many attendees stack multiple screenings on the same day. Using NearMeNow's event tracker helps you plan realistic back-to-back schedules by showing exact times, venue locations, and travel distances between theaters, so you can maximize your film festival experience without missing shows.

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NearMeNow's ATX Fest Guide — AI-powered search, personal schedule, offline access. 5 free searches.