dir. Nicole Riegel
KiKi Layne stars as Dandelion in director, writer, and co-producer Nicole Riegel’s new movies about a struggling Cincinnati singer-songwriter. Fittingly, two of Cincinnati’s finest composers, Aaron and Bryce Dessner of the National, scored the film. –Matthew Strauss
dir. Bess Kargman
Director Bess Kargman explores renowned composer Diane Warren in her new Relentless documentary. Appearing in the film are Warren, Clive Davis, Common, Gloria Estefan, Jerry Bruckheimer, Jennifer Hudson, Cher, Randy Jackson, and Quincy Jones. –Matthew Strauss
dir. Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian
Doppelgängers³ gets its world premiere at SXSW. The film, directed by Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian, is billed as a “visual, sonic experience,” and it features music by Pussy Riot, Colin Self, and others. –Matthew Strauss
dir. P. Frank Williams
Freaknik: The Wildest Story Never Told tells the tale of the titular 1980s and ’90s Atlanta spring break festival for students of historically Black colleges and universities. Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell and Jermaine Dupri are among the film’s executive producers, and Killer Mike, Lil Jon, and 21 Savage speak in the documentary. Following its SXSW premiere, Freaknik hits Hulu on March 21. –Matthew Strauss
dir. Jane Schoenbrun
I Saw the TV Glow, the second feature from director Jane Schoenbrun, follows Owen (Justice Smith), a high schooler who becomes obsessed with a late-night TV show called The Pink Opaque that creeps into his waking life and alters his sense of reality. The film stars a couple of musicians, including Lindsey Jordan of Snail Mail and Phoebe Bridgers, plus Fred Durst (yes, that one) in a key role. I Saw the TV Glow features an original score by Alex G, and its soundtrack will also be one to watch, with artists like Caroline Polachek, Maria BC, L’Rain, and Jay Som appearing on the tracklist. You can check out Yeule’s contribution, a cover of Broken Social Scene’s “Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old Girl,” in the movie’s first trailer. –Eric Torres