Highlights from the SXSW US Premiere of Sing Sing.
Sing Sing, the new feature film about RTA’s theater program starring Oscar nominees Colman Domingo and Paul Raci, had its U.S. premiere at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, TX on March 8, 2024. The RTA team joined the cast and crew to celebrate this momentous occasion for both the organization and for community-based filmmaking.
Received with multiple standing ovations, A24’s Sing Sing resonated profoundly with its audiences. Whether you were viewing the film at the storied Zach Theatre or engaging with the cast and crew during panels—a consistent theme rang through:
Sing Sing is not just a movie. It’s a movement.
As the movie intricately and honestly portrays, RTA harnesses the transformative power of the arts to support people in prison through a journey of healing and personal growth. Beyond the screen, the film centers a deeper, important, and more timely question: how do we create a more just, compassionate society?
To that question we say: after the credits roll, dive into the work.
Viewers can tap into the theme of transformation by being catalysts to transform a broken system. Amplify the voices and lived experiences of people impacted by our criminal legal system. Support programs that center human dignity to break the cycle of generational incarceration.
Featured highlights from the Sing Sing SXSW events are below — each beautifully showcased the profound impact that storytelling has on helping people bear witness, foster empathy and understanding, and ultimately become agents of transformational change.
We hope you see this movie and join our movement!
Sing Sing’s U.S. Premiere at the ZACH Theatre
From the red carpet to the standing ovation, every moment at the US Premiere of Sing Sing was filled with joy, excitement and a deeply felt sense of community, collaboration, and gratitude. The audience was in sync with every scene and their connection to the film—and its impact—was palpable.
See the gallery below for more photos of the Premiere and visit our Sing Sing page for more details on each member of the Cast and Crew!
The Beautiful Exchange: Front Row with the Sing Sing Cast
Oscar nominees Colman Domingo and Paul Raci joined Sean San José and RTA alum Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin to share with SXSW audiences the improbable alchemy of blending stage, screen, and unscripted moments into transcendent performances in their new film Sing Sing.
Listen to the discussion here.
Trust the Process: The Making of Sing Sing
SXSW audiences were able to hear directly from the filmmaking team about the seven year journey to bring Sing Sing to life from script to screen and what it takes to truly make films as a community. From a pay-equity approach to centering RTA alumni in every step of the process, the making of Sing Sing not only embodies the values of RTA, but the entire team did an impeccable job ensuring the film enshrines them— honesty, dignity, collaboration and community play starring roles in the movie from start to finish.
Panelists included: Greg Kwedar; Director, Writer, Producer; Clint Bentley, Writer, Producer; Monique Walton, Producer; Pat Scola, Cinematographer; and Parker Laramie, Editor.
Listen to the discussion here.
AFS Cinema Screening and Q&A
We closed out our SXSW series of events with another standing ovation and incredible audience reception of Sing Sing at the indie cinema Austin Film Society on March 10, 2024.
Featured cast & crew attendees included: Greg Kwedar; Director, Writer, Producer; Clint Bentley, Writer, Producer; Monique Walton, Producer; Pat Scola, Cinematographer; Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin, Principal Cast, Executive Producer.
Sing Sing Notable Press Coverage
Read notable press coverage of the SXSW premiere of Sing Sing, along with other press highlights regarding the film, here.
