SXSW 2012 Guides: Extra! Free Movies and Events!

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Updated March 10 with a new section on free non-SXSW screenings!

I've been getting a surprising number of email messages this year that run along these lines: "We know there are a ton of cheap and free concerts and parties with live music during SXSW, what about free movies?" SXSW has set up several screenings and film-related events that are free to the public this year. In addition, I've found at least one other free movie-related event happening during the fest that I can recommend. If I've missed anything, don't be shy about letting me know in the comments.

Remember that although these events are free, you might have to pay to park near some of the venues. Check out our Guide for Locals and Passholders for some parking and transportation tips.

Free Panels and Events

Women in Cinema's SXSW Panel: Wednesday, March 14, 7-9 pm, Studio 4D, CMB, The University of Texas
This event might have been perfect for the SXSW Film Conference, but is actually on the University of Texas campus and is sponsored by Women in Cinema, a UT student organization that supports student filmmakers. The group's brought together a powerhouse panel of female filmmakers and actresses who have films at SXSW this year -- a don't-miss lineup. UT instructor Kat Candler (Hellion) is moderating the panel, which includes Houston filmmaker Kelly Sears (Once It Started It Could Not End), Megan Griffiths (Eden), Amy Seimetz (Sun Don't Shine), Annie Silverstein (Spark), new-to-Austin Hannah Fidell (The Gathering Squall), producer Kim Sherman (V/H/S, Sun Don't Shine), and actress Anna Margaret Hollyman (Somebody Up There Likes Me, Gayby). I can't believe this event is free.

SXSW Community Workshop: Austin School of Film Youth 3D Workshop: Saturday, March 10, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm, Carver Museum
This event is open to 11- to 18-year-olds, at no charge, with lunch provided. Animator Jeanne Stern will work with attendees on creating a short 3D animated film project. The resulting film will then screen on Wednesday, March 14 at the Vimeo Theater in ACC.

Free SXSW-Sponsored Movies

SXSW Community Screenings: Slacker 2011: Tuesday, March 13, 9:30 pm, Paramount Theatre
This is the biggest free movie event of the festival. Two dozen Austin filmmakers each remade or "re-imagined" a sequence from Richard Linklater's 1991 film Slacker. If you want to find out more about this movie, Slackerwood covered it so thoroughly last year we made a Slacker 2011 category tag for all the articles. It is a mighty fun movie to watch at the Paramount, I can tell you.

SXSW Community Screenings: AFS ShortCase 2012: Saturday, March 10, 11 am, Canon Screening Room (aka Rollins) at the Long Center
Austin Film Society, with help from Slackerwood contributor Debbie Cerda, selected ten short films from AFS members, including Richard Garriott and Bob Ray, which will screen at ShortCase. I didn't realize this was a free event until this morning, but SXSW has indeed included it in its list of free events.

Texas High School Shorts: Saturday, March 10, 6 pm, Carver Museum
This screening of the SXSW Texas High School Shorts program is open to the public. There are 23 shorts in 85 minutes.

SXSW Community Screenings: Faces of Austin: Sunday, March 11, 1:30 pm, Carver Museum
This screening will include short films made as part of the City of Austin's "Faces of Austin" program -- you can often see these shorts on video monitors at City Hall, or view them online, but here's a chance to catch them on a big screen.

SXSW Community Screenings: Dysfunctional Friends: Sunday, March 11, 4 pm, Carver Museum
This narrative feature from Illinois filmmaker Corey Grant is a comedy about a group of friends reuniting after many years after one of their mutual friends dies.

SXSW Community Screenings: 1 out of 7: Sunday March 11, 6:30 pm, Carver Museum
This drama is about a runaway teenage girl in Portland.

SXSW Community Screenings: Austin School of Film: Monday, March 12, 9:30 pm, Canon Screening Room
The Austin School of Film will show a collection of shorts from its Avant Garde, Victorian Gothic Animation, and Experimental Animation classes.

SXSW Community Screenings: Austin School of Film's Youth M.A.F.I.A.: Wednesday, March 14, 11 am, Vimeo Theater at ACC
Austin School of Film hosted a "make a film in 24 hours" competition for high-school students, and will show the resulting short films.

SXSW Community Screenings: Rainforest Partnership: Monday, March 12, 6:30 pm, Canon Screening Room
Austin-based international nonprofit Rainforest Partnership held a short film contest called "Films for the Forest," and the top selections will be screened here.

SXSW has a complete list of all the official fest-sponsored free events during the fest. You might be particularly interested in ScreenBurn Arcade and Flatstock 33. And don't forget the Tech Career Expo!

More Free Movies: Non-SXSW Screenings

Cinema East and Tugg Present Woodstock: Sunday, March 11, 7 pm, Cheer Up Charlie's (1104 E. 6th)
Cinema East is showing the 1970 documentary Woodstock, preceded by the short American Juggalo.

Alamo Kids Camp: How to Train Your Dragon: March 10-18, Alamo Slaughter
Check out the new Alamo Slaughter location and see a free family-friendly movie, all week long for Spring Break.