NEON’s I Love Booster will open SXSW 2026. In addition to being the opening night film, this will also serve as the world premiere for the film, directed by visionary filmmaker Boots Riley.

SXSW 2026 Opening Night Film Features Star-Studded Cast

I Love Boosters features an epic ensemble cast including Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza Gonzalez, LaKeith Stanfield and Demi Moore.

About I Love Booster

The mind-bending story centers around a crew of professional shoplifters known as The Velvet Gang who take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven. Revealing any more than that would do a disservice to the SXSW opening night crowd who will surely watch in awe as this story plays out for the first time on the big screen.

Boots Riley first appeared at the festival in 2018 with the macabre social satire Sorry To Bother You. He returned in 2023 with the world premiere of his hit series I’m A Virgo. I Love Boosters is Riley’s second original feature film, after a successful music career with groups The Coup and the Street Sweeper Social Club with Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine fame.

SXSW 2026 is happening March 12 through 18 in Austin. Tickets are onsite now here.