Earlier today, SXSW (South by Southwest) Film Festival announced that Isle of Dogs will be shown on the show’s closing night. While the film is scheduled to open the 68th Berlin International Film Festival on February 15, 2018, this will be the earliest showing to the public, 10 days before it hits theaters.
Isle of Dogs tells the story of a 12-year-old (Atari Kobayashi) ward to corrupt Mayor Kobayashi. Following an executive decree by the Mayor, all the canine pets of Megasaki City are exiled to a vast garbage dump, including Atari’s bodyguard-dog, Spots.
The film is certain to be unique, as it’s not only going to be done in Wes Anderson’s style, but will also be stop-motion animation. Isle of Dogs will also feature a star-studded voice cast, including Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, and Bob Balaban, among many others.
The festival will feature 132 total features and 118 short films, independent episodics, and music videos throughout the week. Included in that list will be the World Premier of Blood Fest.
The third feature film from Rooster Teeth, Blood Fest centers around festival celebrating the most iconic horror movies (ironic). But things soon go wrong when it’s discovered that the charismatic showman behind the event has a diabolical agenda. Blood Fest stars Zachary Levi, Robbie Kay, and Barbara Dunkelman.
SXSW Senior Film Programmer Jarod Neece talked about how excited he was to dive into the yearly pool of genre film submissions to see what each filmmaker has brought to life this year.
“This year’s Midnighters, made both by veteran filmmakers and many first-timers, are sure to delight and terrify lucky SXSW audiences,” Neece said. “And if they can survive the onslaught they will be treated to the fantastical world of Wes Anderson’s latest stop-motion masterpiece, SXSW Closing Night Film Isle of Dogs.”
South by Southwest starts Friday, March 9 and ends Tuesday, March 13. For ticket information, head over to www.sxsw.com.
