SXSW London 2025: Screen programming to be led by Anna Bogutskaya

South by Southwest (SXSW) have announced the dates of their first European edition, SXSW London, from June 2nd to 7th, 2025 – and we have our first sense of the festival’s commitment to screen programming.

That programming will now be led by Head of Screen Anna Bogutskaya, a seasoned professional in the film industry. Anna’s experience includes working with prestigious institutions such as the British Film Institute (BFI), Edinburgh International Film Festival, and Fantastic Fest. At BFI, she oversaw events and programming, curated numerous film seasons, and spearheaded the creation of the Woman With A Movie Camera Summit, a platform celebrating female filmmakers and their contributions to cinema.

Anna has also co-run the Underwire Festival, which champions female talent in the film industry, has written extensively on horror (including the upcoming Feeding the Monster) and co-founded the Final Girls horror podcast. Her work has not only highlighted diverse voices in cinema but also created inclusive spaces for discussion and innovation in film, in the horror genre and beyond.

All of this points to a commitment to diverse voices and an openness to the weirder, cultier, horror end of SXSW’s programming. Horror highlights at this year’s SXSW in Austin, TX, included Oddity, It’s What’s Inside, Things Will Be Different, Dead Mail, Immaculate, Azrael, Cuckoo, I Saw The TV Glow, and Arcadian, as well as several others. That smorgasboard of genre delights combined with Bogutskaya’s appointment suggests a diverse slate that’ll include good things for horror-lovers, but we’ll find out for sure when the schedule is announced next year.

“Having made London my home, I’m thrilled to bring the SXSW energy to the city. SXSW London will be the biggest creative playground in Europe for filmmakers, musicians, artists, and creatives. I’m beyond grateful to be part of the stellar team shaping the festival and to have the opportunity to curate films, series, and conversations that will inspire and engage,” Bogutskaya said, as the announcement was made.

SXSW London will take place in the arts and tech hub of Shoreditch, East London, promising a rich blend of cinema, music, tech, and arts programming. The festival’s mission is to provide a unique platform for emerging filmmakers and grassroots artists to present their work, against competition from the similarly conceived but more narrowly film-focussed Sundance London. The festival will invite submissions from artists, thought leaders, and industry professionals, ensuring that the programming reflects a diverse array of voices and perspectives. This community-driven approach has been integral to SXSW’s success in Austin and Sydney, and SXSW promise it will be a cornerstone of the London edition.

In addition to Anna Bogutskaya, the festival’s leadership team includes Clare Morris, who will join as Director of Marketing and Communications. Clare’s background with Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, Universal Pictures, ITV Studios, and Samsung positions her well to elevate SXSW London’s profile. Beth Greenacre, as Visual Arts Advisor, brings her experience from curating the David Bowie collection and collaborating with various art institutions to the festival.

For more information and updates, visit sxswlondon.com and follow SXSW London on social media platforms including Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, YouTube, Threads, and TikTok.