SXSW London: Sharon Horgan, Russell T Davies, and Tom Quinn to Keynote

South by Southwest (SXSW) announced the first wave of its world film program and keynote speakers for SXSW London, taking place June 1-6. The event's Screen Festival, which features notable talent and executives from film and TV discussing their work and the future of screen storytelling, will include multi-BAFTA and award-winning actress, writer, producer, and director Sharon Horgan; award-winning screenwriter and producer Russell T Davies; and Tom Quinn, founder of the Oscar-winning U.S. independent film company Neon.

Horgan is best known as the creator, co-writer, executive producer, and star of the series 'Bad Sisters', which has earned multiple BAFTAs and Emmy nominations, as well as international awards. Davies, for his part, received the Dennis Potter Award in 2006 and an OBE in 2008 for his services to television. Quinn is the CEO and founder of Neon, which has accumulated 57 Oscar nominations and 11 wins, including two awards for Best Picture.

Sharon Horgan has gained recognition for her work on the series 'Bad Sisters', which has been acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. In addition, she co-created the hit comedy 'Motherland' and executive produces its spin-off, 'Amandaland'. Recently, Horgan signed a deal with HBO, launching an original comedy series, 'Youth', written and produced by herself, in which she will also star. Russell T Davies, with an outstanding career, is known for creating 'Queer as Folk' and reviving 'Doctor Who', in addition to adapting 'A Very English Scandal' and writing the drama 'Years and Years'.

Davies also has an upcoming five-part original drama, 'Tip Toe', for Channel 4. These two names, along with Tom Quinn, promise to bring a valuable perspective on the future of film and television.

Neon, founded in 2017 by Tom Quinn, has achieved remarkable success in the film industry. The production company has accumulated 57 Oscar nominations, winning 11, including two awards for Best Picture for 'Parasite' and 'Anora'. In addition, Neon has won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival six consecutive times, including the most recent for 'It Was Just an Accident'. In 2024, Neon was named Independent Studio of the Year by The Hollywood Reporter. Upcoming, Neon will present films such as Steven Soderbergh's 'The Christophers', 'Hokum' starring Adam Scott, and 'Leviticus', a Sundance hit.

Neon's success reflects the importance of the production company in the current film landscape.

In addition to the keynote speakers, the first wave of films to be included in the Screen Festival was announced. The event aims to highlight films from around the world, with more than 43 countries represented in 2025 and films from 22 countries already confirmed for this year's edition. Organizers emphasized that the international focus of the festival's program 'reflects the multiculturality of London and brings together emerging global talent to connect with the UK industry'.

Anna Bogutskaya, head of Screen at SXSW London, commented that the festival seeks to be a bridge between international talent and the UK, between film and the broader creative industries, connecting film, music, art, and technology. The program celebrates filmmakers and artists who explore and expand the possibilities of filmmaking.

The film selection includes 'Feast or Famine' (UK), narrated by Marco Pierre White; 'The Remedy' (US); 'All Night Wrong' (Canada); 'Amoeba' (Singapore, Netherlands, France, Spain, South Korea); 'Becoming' (Kazakhstan, France, Netherlands, Lithuania, Sweden); 'On the Road' (Mexico); 'Father' (Slovakia); 'Hijra' (Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, UK); 'It Would Be Night in Caracas' (Mexico); 'Maddie’s Secret' (US); 'Remake' (US); 'Sicko' (Kazakhstan); 'Whistle' (Australia); 'The Whisper' (Uruguay, Argentina); 'La Carn' (Spain); 'Barrio Triste' (Colombia, US) and 'Intelligence Rising' (UK). These films offer a diverse and global vision of contemporary cinema, promising an enriching experience for London audiences.

The festival is presented as a vital space for connection between international talent and the UK industry.