“Stans” and “Life of Chuck” to Headline SXSW London Screen Festival

LONDON — South by Southwest London has unveiled the lineup for its screen festival, which will showcase 12 world premieres and 30 U.K. premieres, in addition to films, documentaries and shorts.

This is the first time that SXSW is taking place in Europe and the wider event, which runs from June 2 to 7, will take over venues, galleries, clubs and spaces around Shoreditch in east London. In addition to film, SXSW London will include music showcases and innovations in tech and gaming.

There will also be arts and culture programming for the first time, with a particular focus on creative sectors and talent from across Europe. Organizers said the overall event is set to generate more than 75 million pounds in direct economic benefits for London and the U.K. 

SXSW London’s Screen Festival is aiming to be a launchpad for talent from across the world, with films that stretch across various genres and disciplines.

The screen festival will open with “Stans,” directed by Steven Leckart and coproduced by Eminem. The film, which will screen on June 2, takes a look at superfans and their relationship with entertainers and celebrities. 

The closing night film on June 7 will be the U.K. premiere of “Life of Chuck.” The film, directed by Mike Flanagan and starring Tom Hiddleston and Chiwetel Ejiofor, is based on Stephen King’s novella about the life of an ordinary man named Charles Krantz.

Other films in the lineup include the comedy “Deep Cover” directed by Tom Kingsley and starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom and Nick Mohammed. They play a group of amateur improv comics embroiled in London’s criminal underworld. 

Guests will also be able to watch “Love & Rage: Munroe Bergdorf,” a documentary about the eponymous author, model and trans activist.

Anna Bogutskaya, head of screen for SXSW London, said it has been a dream to work on the project. “We are excited to present bold new work from across the world, celebrating boundary-pushing films across documentary, animation and narrative filmmaking. Our program is designed to ignite conversations, inspire new connections, and showcase and celebrate screen storytelling across film, TV and immersive,” she said.