The No Film School Podcast

Filmmaker’s Guide to SXSW: Tips, Takeaways & Tough Lessons

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No Film School founder and director Ryan Koo flips the script in this special episode, interviewing regular podcast host GG Hawkins about the world premiere of her feature film I Really Love My Husband at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival. GG shares her whirlwind experience of showcasing her first feature, from managing the chaos of festival logistics and marketing, to the overwhelming response from audiences and peers alike. This episode offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to premiere at a major festival, how to prepare, and what filmmakers can learn to maximize their presence.


In this episode, No Film School's Ryan Koo and GG Hawkins discuss...

  • GG’s emotional and logistical journey leading up to the world premiere of her film
  • How SXSW’s ticketing and badge system works—and how to prep for packed screenings
  • Tips for marketing your film and working with PR ahead of a major festival
  • The importance of pacing, wardrobe strategy, and managing energy during festival week
  • Lessons learned from networking, screenings, and audience feedback
  • A broader look at SXSW as a convergence of film, tech, and immersive media, including the Apple Vision Pro


    • Memorable Quotes:

    • "One of the best things you can do for yourself is have your family come to the second and third screening." (05:49)
    • "If you make a movie and nobody sees it, what’s the point?" (08:32)
    • "Don’t get a perm before your premiere." (17:01)
    • "I didn't know I would be in sort of like a therapy support situation, which is awesome that the movie resonated with folks that way." (24:00)
    • "This is the truest form for what it'll be in the long game—people who don't know me are going to sit back and watch and not know what's going to happen." (28:45)


      • Resources:

      • The Cameras Behind the Films of SXSW 2025
      • How to Shoot Your Feature in Three Months or Less
      • Everything You Need to Know About Editing and Post-Production


        • Find No Film School everywhere:

        • On the Web: No Film School
        • Facebook: No Film School on Facebook
        • Twitter: No Film School on Twitter
        • YouTube: No Film School on YouTube
        • Instagram: No Film School on Instagram 

          • 📩 Send us an email with questions or feedback: [email protected]


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