Some come for the music. Others for the interactive elbow rubbing. But those in the know come for the FILM FEST.

With a relatively inexpensive upgrade you can go GOLD and gain access to some quality flicks. Sure, there are some big names (Sam Raimi)  and major studio screenings (I Love You, Man, Observe and Report) but there are some great indies that are worth the extra scratch. Here’s our top 5 films/reasons to make the upgrade or sneak away form that speech or skip that early party:

Awayadays

1.) Awaydays – After seeing great biopics about British bands and their labels (Control, 24 hour Party People) we’re ready to see the other side of the coin—how they influenced a whole generation struggling with the same issues they were writing about.

2.) Goodbye Solo – With the beautiful Smokey Mountains as a backdrop, this film about the friendship between a cab driver and a man who has nothing to live for –  just might be the feel-good-story of the fest.

3.) An Acting Workshop by Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development) – Who wouldn’t want to take some pointers from the mind behind George Bluth?

4.) Too many great documentaries to name – With films like Pulling John, Last of the Beekeepers and The Way We Get By…there is not enough time to see or talk about them all. (Well maybe just one…)

5.) Best Worst Movie – A doc about the worst movie ever made. Troll 2 and the strange cult following it has. The Alamo Drafthouse is featured in the film and could be like Déjà vu all over again!

BONUS!
6.) Sneak into the Vivid Entertainment panel. AND DON’T Twitter from there.

We hope to see you around at some of these highlights. Be sure to follow us on Twitter to stay in touch of the latest SXSW news.