News

Hokum

Irish-US production Hokum, which makes its World Premiere in the Festival's Midnighter section, stars Adam Scott as a horror writer who visits an Irish inn to scatter his parents' ashes, unaware the property is said to be haunted by a witch.

The film is produced by Spooky Pictures founders Roy Lee and Steven Schneider, Image Nation’s Derek Dauchy and Tailored Films' Ruth Treacy, Julianne Forde and Mairtín de Barra. Executive producers include Cweature Features’ Ken Kao and Josh Rosenbaum, as well as Ben Ross, Dan Kagan, Rami Yasin, Andrew Childs, and Team Thrives’ Bryan Meng and Dr. Terence Chan. The film is proudly supported by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland.

Principal photography took place in West Cork in Ireland last year. Neon has picked up worldwide rights for the film and will release Hokum theatrically in the US this year. 

Find out when to watch Hokum at SXSW here.

Power Ballad

Also screening at SXSW is John Carney’s Power Ballad, fresh from its World Premiere at the Dublin International Film Festival.

Filmed in Ireland and featuring a cast of Irish and international talent, Power Ballad is the latest musical-comedy from John Carney. When Rick (Paul Rudd), a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny (Nick Jonas) during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rick’s songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves - even if it means risking everything he cares about. 

Power Ballad is presented by Lionsgate, in association with 30WEST and Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland. The film is a Likely Story / Distressed Films production, in association with Treasure Entertainment. The film will be released in the UK and Ireland by Lionsgate on May 29th, and a week later in the US.

Find out when to watch Power Ballad at SXSW here.

Screen Ireland at Ireland House 2026

This year, Screen Ireland and IDA Ireland will be returning to Ireland House at SXSW to present a panel of industry leaders to discuss how the sector is optimising innovation to bring Ireland’s stories to screens on Saturday 14th March at 2.30pm.

Leaders from Ireland’s technology, filmmaking, and content sectors will discuss how studios, startups, and creative teams are collaborating to reshape production pipelines, attract international investment, and deliver world-class storytelling. 

Find out more about the panel and RSVP here.