SXSW on $8/Day: Advice for Film Pass Attendees

In 1969, my mother and her best friend waited in line for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid five times without ever getting in to see it. Her parents, unbelieving, went to the four-plex, and also were turned away twice due to sold-out shows before getting in. Such was the power of Newman and Redford in the days before internet ticket services like Fandango. Carrying a film pass at SXSW this year feels almost like a return to that era.  

Film passes are an economical way to enjoy the fest if you plan to take in six or more films and don't have the funds or time to volunteer in order to get a badge. Entry to films goes first to badgeholders, then to those with a film pass, and finally to people who are buying individual tickets.

Here are a few tips on what to expect (and how to survive) when using the SXSW Film equivalent of the music wristbands.

• Expect the unexpected. I arrived early and spent three hours at the front of the line for Hesher this weekend at Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar, failing to gain a seat when there wasn't enough room for some 30-50 badgeholders ahead of me. The passes ARE printed with a warning to avoid screenings at the Alamo Drafthouse locations due to their smaller size. However, I felt confident most people would be downtown catching the world premiere of Paul at the Paramount.  Boy, was I wrong, as people had a tendency to pick a venue and stay there for the day. They'd walk out of the Drafthouse and right into line for the next screening, which happened to be mine. I understand there was room to spare at the Paul premiere.

• Besides gaining entrance ahead of the people who show up to buy tickets, there is NO other benefit to the film pass. The convenient shuttles back and forth between the downtown and Alamo South Lamar locations run whether empty or full, but your pass won't get you on them. I was even told that the printed film guides were for badgeholders only. There is no swag, and I'm not sure what online perks badgeholders get with registration these days, but you're not getting them with a film pass. SXSW should consider opening up the shuttles and guildes to people with a film pass.

• Try to find screenings at the Arbor that you'll enjoy.  The first night of the fest, while badgeholders were being turned away from the sold-out 1200-seat Paramount premiere of Source Code, there were only three badgeholders in line in front of me and perhaps 20-30 people in the theater. There were no sirens, no downtown traffic or trouble parking.

• Bring a fully charged phone with Twitter to keep you occupied. It can clue you in on things you're missing elsewhere, help you keep track of and meet up with friends, and just keep you from being bored. Plus, you'll have a camera handy in case you spot any celebrities.

• Keep your eyes peeled for those celebrities.

• Don't be afraid to try getting in to a popular screening, but have alternate choices. You can't always get what you want, but if you keep your options open, you may discover something worthwhile.

• Have friends with badges. They can hold you a good seat.

• Avoid having friends with badges. You're going to be jealous of all the great stuff they get to see that you didn't even bother trying to attend.

• Be courteous to the SXSW volunteers.  They're working their butts off, and the lines ran VERY smoothly this year.

• Have fun and remember you're in the best city in the world attending one of the best film festivals in the world.