Group Discounted SXSW 2026 Badges Now Available
Join us as a Film Scout in Austin
TL;DR
➡SXSW runs March 12-18 in Austin, TX
➡Legion M will be there scouting films
➡We have discounted badges available now
➡Want to join? See the details below.
➡Join the discussion: Facebook/Reddit/Discord
🎟️ Scout Films at SXSW
Mark your calendars, Legion M! We’re headed back to the South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW) from March 12-18, 2026 in Austin, Texas.
This year, we're not just attending – we’re on the hunt for Legion M's next film. And we’re hoping you can help us find it!
🔥 Discounted Badges
We're placing a group order to get discounted Film & TV Badges for the Legion M community. The price is just $600 -- $150 cheaper than the price on the website right now, and over 50% off the walkup rate of $1225 (SXSW prices increase as the festival gets closer).
Our allotment of badges is limited, and available only to members of the Legion M community and their guests. We're selling them on a first-come-first-served basis.
🤔 What Do Badges Include?
Film & TV badges provide access to all film and TV screenings and sessions (as long as you can get in) along with reservations for front-of-the-line privileges at two screenings each day. You'll also get access to the opening night party, one-on-one mentor sessions with industry professionals, and conference sessions about filmmaking and the entertainment business. It's an incredible way to immerse yourself in the festival experience.
Note that SXSW revamped their badge system for 2026, so details may have changed from previous years. For more info, please check the SXSW website.
💬 Join the discussion
Thinking of attending? Seeking roommates? Got questions? Tips to share?
Film festivals can be daunting but there are many places for the Legion M community to coordinate. Join the discussion at:
SXSW FAQ
What Is SXSW?
SXSW is actually three massive festivals happening simultaneously: a Film & TV Festival, a Music Festival, and a Tech Conference. It's organized chaos in the best possible way, with hundreds of films screening, thousands of bands performing, and the entire city of Austin transforming into a creative playground for one incredible week.
Legion M will be focused on the Film & TV Festival portion, where we'll be scouting films for distribution. We hope to have many Legion M'ers with us to watch movies and (hopefully!) find the next addition to our slate.
Do I need a badge?
No. You can still watch films – and experience SXSW – without a badge. Many screenings offer individual tickets (typically around $30-35 each), and while popular movies will sell-out to badge-holders (who have priority), SXSW has a sophisticated waitlist system that allows you to estimate your chances of getting into any particular screening.
If you are open to seeing films that are a little more off the beaten path, there is plenty to see without a badge. Plus, SXSW is packed with free events, parties, and activities for those who don't mind standing in line (which, to be honest, is part of the SXSW experience even with a badge).
What Will Legion M Be Doing?
Now that Legion M has entered our distribution era, one of our most important (and fun!) responsibilities is finding films to release. Major festivals like TIFF, Sundance, and SXSW are where tomorrow's hits are hiding. As a Legion M FILM SCOUT, your job is to find them!
Co-founders Paul Scanlan and Jeff Annison will be in Austin from Thurs 3/12 through Tues 3/17. We'll also be coordinating meet-ups throughout the week to swap stories, talk about what we've seen, and connect with fellow Legion M’ers from around the world. These pay-your-own-way hangouts (we don't have any sponsored events planned at the moment), are amazing opportunities to meet other Legion M peeps and find film-watching buddies for the festival.
We’ll be running the FILM SCOUT App throughout the festival. Members of our community can use the app to scout from home -- reviewing log lines and meta data to identify films with the most promise. Meanwhile, our scouts in Austin will be “boots on the ground” to watch the movies and see how they stack up!
For more information, please check out the highlights of our most recent FILM SCOUT zoom call.
SXSW Logistics
There are countless articles online about the best way to navigate SXSW (this is a pretty good one). You can also join the discussion in one of the several community discussions we’ve created on Facebook, Reddit and Discord.
But here’s some high level information to get you started:
Timing: This year’s festival runs for a full week (Thurs-Wed), but you don’t need to attend the whole time. Many only come for opening weekend. Films typically have multiple showings, so if you miss the premiere (which are harder to get into), you might be able to catch a showing later in the week. Note that the Legion M team is currently planning to be in Austin Thursday through Tuesday.
Lodging: Austin is extremely busy during SXSW, so you’ll want to book as early as you can. If you get a badge (including a Legion M discounted badge), you'll have access to SXSW's housing office, which has blocked off rooms at various hotels.
Another popular option is gathering a group to rent an Airbnb together. This can be an economical way to stay – and a great way to spend time with friends (or make new ones!).
Location: The best (and most expensive) places to stay are downtown. The biggest theater with the splashiest premieres is the Paramount (713 Congress Ave) but movies will play at several theaters throughout Austin. The Alamo Drafthouse (1120 South Lamar Boulevard) is typically home to many genre films, and often a place where Legion M’ers spend a lot of time.
That said, it’s also possible to stay at less expensive lodging available a short drive from downtown. You just need to budget for Ubers or other transportation to get you into the thick of things.
Transportation: You can fly into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Once you're in the city, Uber is readily available. Badge holders also get access to SXSW's shuttle system, which runs between venues throughout the festival. The theaters are spread across downtown Austin, but everything is manageable with a little planning.
Fun: In addition to watching films, there are a myriad of other options for live music, panels, parties, lounges and more. While some of these are reserved exclusively for badge holders, many are available for free.
For more information, check out some of the many guides that have been written online (this is a good one), and join in the discussion groups listed below to exchange tips with other Legion M’ers.
Note that SXSW revamped their badge system this year (e.g. badge holders no longer get “secondary” access to events not included with their badge), so be sure to check any guides you read against the SXSW website to ensure the info is still relevant.
The Bottom Line
Film festivals aren't just fun – they're a critical part of Legion M's mission. Finding great movies to release is how we grow as a company and bring amazing stories to light.
Legion M FILM SCOUTS – both those scouting from home and those in person at the fest – are a critical part of the process. We don't rely on the gut feel of a few execs – we have the combined wisdom, passion, and experience of a Legion!
We hope to see as many Legion M'ers as possible in Austin.In the meantime, stay tuned for more updates and calls as we get closer to the festival.
Onward and Upward,
Paul, Jeff, and the Legion M Team