How Film & TV Wristband Access Works

Your SXSW Film & TV Festival Wristband grants you secondary access to over 300 screenings and Comedy Showcases during nine days, without further ticket fees. Maximize your time at SXSW by using the Film & TV Status Boards and SXSW GO app to get accurate line status information for every screening at the festival. Film & TV Wristbands do not have guaranteed admission to every SXSW event. Admission is subject to legal venue capacity and age restrictions in compliance with state and local laws.

SXSW Film & TV and Platinum Badges have priority entry over Wristbands. Film & TV Wristbands have secondary access to screenings with Interactive and Music Badges after the primary access line has been seated and secondary access to all badge types for Comedy Festival programming. Review Wristband Rules below for further details. Film & TV Wristbands do not have access to SXSW Conference programming, SXSW Music Showcases, the International Day Stage, the Radio Day Stage, or guaranteed access to activations. More information about access can be found on the Attendee Services Page.

The best bet venues for Film & TV Festival Wristbands include the Paramount Theatre, ZACH Theatre, the Rollins Theatre at The Long Center, and the Satellite Venue: AFS Cinema. Second screenings and daytime screenings are often good bets for wristband holders. The Film & TV Wristband is not recommended for Headliners screenings or other larger profile screenings with red carpets.

• Paramount Theatre - 1100 seats
• ZACH Theatre - 420 seats
• Rollins Theatre at The Long Center - 210 seats
• AFS Cinema (Satellite Venue) - 265 seats

Wristband holders can catch a ride on the SXSW Festival Shuttle – a free circulating shuttle running between the Austin Convention Center, Community Concerts at Lady Bird Lake and SXSW Film & TV Festival Theaters. Learn more on the Getting Around page. The SXSW Festival Shuttle does not service the Satellite Venue: AFS Cinema.

Purchase In-Person at SXSW

Purchase Music Festival Wristbands in-person at the SXSW Merch Truck which will be cruising around downtown Austin March 8 - 16. Hours are approximate depending on traffic conditions.

SXSW Merch Truck Schedule

• March 8 - March 12 SW Corner of 7th and Congress – 11:00 am-6:00 pm
• March 12 9th and Red River – 7:00 pm-10:00 pm
• March 13 9th and Red River – 5:00 pm-10:00 pm
• March 14-16 Community Concerts at Lady Bird Lake – 3:00 pm-6:00 pm
• March 14-16 Waterloo Park; 6:00 pm-10:00 pm

Purchase Online

An individual can buy up to six Film & TV Wristbands and up to six Music Wristbands while supplies last. Unique emails must be used when purchasing two or more wristbands of the same type. The discount wristbands will only be sold over the internet, and will require a valid credit card with an Austin area billing address approved zip code.

There will be no refunds or name transfers after purchase. If you buy more than the number of wristbands permitted, you will not be able to assign or sell them to other people. Before purchasing additional wristbands, make sure each recipient is definitely able to attend SXSW.

You will be sent a confirmation email which will include instructions for picking up your wristband. You must bring a valid form of photo ID to redeem your wristband. Your wristband will be placed on your wrist at time of pick up. Learn more about Official Rules.

Prepare for your SX adventure! Download SXSW GO, the official mobile app, and begin building your SXSW Schedule.

Only people whose credit cards have billing addresses in the following Greater Austin Area Zip Codes are eligible to buy wristbands for the SXSW Music Festival and SXSW Film & TV Festival. Click below to expand the list of approved zip codes.

All SXSW attendees agree to adhere to the safety and hygiene guidance and mitigation recommendations with respect to communicable illnesses (including COVID-19) established by relevant health authorities, including Austin Public Health, Texas Department of State Health Services, the Centers for Disease Control, and as provided in our Attendee Safety Resources. The Attendee Safety Page will be updated as the date of the Event approaches.

Each individual will need to present a drivers license or valid government-issued photo ID to claim their SXSW Wristband. An individual may not pick up a wristband for someone else.

The wristband will be fastened on the individual’s wrist at time of pick up and may not be removed until the festival is over to receive entry to events.

Film & TV Wristband Pickup Times

Film & TV Wristbands can be picked up on the following dates and times at the Austin Convention Center (500 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701) in Exhibit Hall 1:

Friday, March 8 | 8:00am-11:00pm

Saturday, March 9 | 8:00am-9:00pm

Sunday, March 10 | 9:00am-9:00pm

Monday, March 11 | 9:00am-9:00pm

Tuesday, March 12 | 9:00am-9:00pm

Wednesday, March 13 | 9:00am-8:00pm

Thursday, March 14 | 9:00am-7:00pm

Friday, March 15 | 9:00am-7:00pm

Saturday, March 16 | 11:00am-3:00pm

SXSW Film & TV Festival Wristbands provide secondary entry to all festival screenings and Comedy Showcases which enter after Platinum and Film & TV badges. Wristbands cannot guarantee entry to every SXSW Film & TV Festival screening or Comedy Showcases as each screening is subject to venue capacity.

This online system has been implemented to ensure that the majority of wristbands sold go to Austin’s film fans (rather than scalpers and resellers).

Purchase Requirements

1. You must provide a valid credit card with funds available to purchase the number of wristbands you request (up to six).
2. The purchaser will provide their name, email, valid credit card number and expiration date, and billing address. The billing zip code must be listed in the [approved greater Austin area list](/wristbands/film-and-tv/#zip-codes).
3. Additional wristbands may be purchased by providing separate names and email addresses. These wristbands are non-transferable and nonrefundable.
4. Each named person must personally pick up their wristband (which will be put on their wrist at that time) at the Austin Convention Center.
5. By purchasing and obtaining wristbands you are acknowledging and agreeing to the Participant Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Disclaimers

1. A SXSW Film & TV Festival Wristband grants you secondary access to over 300 screenings and Comedy Showcases during nine days, without further ticket fees. Admission is subject to the legal capacity of each venue. Many venues fill up. Platinum and Film & TV badges get priority entry.
2. All SXSW Wristbands are non-transferable and non-refundable.
3. Tampering with the SXSW Wristband will invalidate the wristband. Stretching, tearing, taping or cutting of SXSW wristbands is not permitted. If wristband tampering is evident, the wristband will be voided and the wearer will be refused entry to any/all SXSW venues.
4. When purchasing multiple wristbands, the authorized purchaser must be one of the wristband recipients.
5. Some venues may have specific rules or restrictions like clear bag policies. Check the [Attendee Services Hub](/attendee-services/#film) for more details.

PARTICIPATION AND CREDENTIALS TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Want the latest on SXSW 2024 Wristbands? Sign up for notifications about wristband events for the SXSW Film & TV Festival and SXSW Music Festival as well as alerts about future sales.