That’s A Wrap! Roxstar’s Cinema Center Pop-Up at SXSW

The Baltimorons & Magic Hour — Mark Duplass and fellow castmates and filmmakers assemble for Jay Duplass’ birthday at the combination Baltimorons/Magic Hour party and all sang and blew out the candles at the Cinema Center. Sponsored by Bloom Nutrition, Peroni, Hendrick’s Gin, Rendezvous Films and Collider

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By Henry Eshelman

Roxstar’s Cinema Center, a perennial hotspot for film festival hospitality, returned to Austin, Texas, hosted its annual four-day pop-up during SXSW, which wrapped up at Higbie’s cocktail bar recently.

The popup completed an ambitious run of eight red-carpet premiere parties for the biggest buzz films of SXSW in a program supported by sponsors Bloom Nutrition, Peroni, Hendrick’s Gin, and Rendezvous Films. On top of that, media property Collider hosted an interview and portrait studio on the premises for celebrity and filmmaker interviews.

Friday kicked off the action with the premiere party for Chad Artigan’s THE THREESOME attended by stars Zoey Deutch and Ruby Cruz (from Mare of Easttown).

Ruby Cruz loves Peroni at the premiere party for THE THREESOME sponsored by Bloom Nutrition, Peroni, Hendrick’s Gin, Rendezvous Films and Collider

The Duplass brothers Jay and Mark are everywhere these days, so ubiquitous they brought TWO films to SXSW: THE BALTIMORONS and MAGIC HOUR, both feted in a single party at the Cinema Center. Helping Jay blow out the candles for his birthday party at the twin premieres were Mark and cast members Michael Strassner, Liz Larsen, Olivia Luccardi, Daveed Diggs, Katie Aselton, Brad Garrett, and Susan Sullivan.

The Cinema Center crammed three films into the Saturday schedule, including Andrew Gaines’ THE DUTCHMAN, with stars Kate Mara (with three films at SXSW) Zazie Beetz, Andre Holland, and Aldis Hodge; Michael Bay’s parkour doc WE ARE STORRER; and AMERICAN SWEATSHOP, starring Lili Reinhart, Daniela Melchior, Jeremy Ang Jones, Josh Whitehouse, Tim Plester, Christiane Paul, and Joel Fry.

Zazie Beetz, Kate Mara, Aldis Hodge. Sponsored by Bloom Nutrition, Zazie Beetz having fun with autographs at the premiere party for “The Dutchman” sponsored by Bloom Nutrition, Peroni, Hendrick’s Gin, Rendezvous Films and Collider

Zazie Beetz having fun with autographs at the premiere party for “The Dutchman” sponsored by Bloom Nutrition,
Peroni, Hendrick’s Gin, Rendezvous Films and Collider

Director Michael Bay hosts his SxSw premiere party for his “We Are Storrors” documentary held at sponsored by Bloom, Hendrick’s Gin, Peroni, and Rendezvous Film Funds

Zoey Deutch (The Threesome) and Lili Reinhardt (American Sweatshop) get a chance to reconnect at
the Cinema Center sponsored by Bloom Nutrition, Peroni, Hendrick’s Gin, Rendezvous Films and Collider

Sunday featured just one film premiere: WE BURY THE DEAD, starringDaisy Ridley, and the Cinema Center rounded out the long weekend with Aussie psychological thriller THE SURFER. Nic Cage was a conspicuous absence at the event.

Daisy Ridley arriving at the premiere party for WE BURY THE DEAD at the Cinema Center sponsored by Bloom Nutrition, Peroni, Hendrick’s Gin, Rendezvous Films and Collider

No matter; Collider’s annual Interview Studio brought additional star wattage throughout the weekend with a parade of filmmakers and actors stopping by during their press circuits to do interviews for the wildly popular site that attracts over 30 million unique visitors each month. Attending talent included David Oyelowo, Matthew McConaughey, Aaron Paul, Amanda Peet, Bradley Whitford, Zoey Deutch, Ruby Cruz, Lili Reinhardt, Eiza Gonzalez, Chloe Fineman, Dennis Quaid and many more.

Aaron Paul, Eiza Gonzalez and Flying Lotus, stars of ASH at Collider Studio sponsored by Bloom Nutrition, Peroni, Hendrick’s Gin, Rendezvous Films and Collider

L-R Matt Cornett, Chloe Fineman, Jillian Bell, Sam Morelos from Summer of 69 get their Bloom on at Cinema Center and Collider Studio sponsored by Bloom Nutrition, Peroni, Hendrick’s Gin, Rendezvous Films and Collider

Dennis Quaid puts on the dog for his film HAPPY FACE at Cinema Center and Collider Studio sponsored by Bloom Nutrition, Peroni, Hendrick’s Gin, Rendezvous Films and Collider

Matthew and Camila McConnaghey arrive at the Collider Studio at Cinema Center sponsored by Bloom Nutrition,
Peroni, Hendrick’s Gin, Rendezvous Films and Collider

Hendrick’s Gin, showcased specialty cocktails including the classics “Hendrick’s Cucumber Lemonade,” and the “Hendrick’s Unusual Negroni,” in addition to the “Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret Sprits Royale”, and “Hendrick’s Oasium Fizz.” Premium Italian lager Peroni Nastro Azzurro returned as the official beer partner of the Cinema Center.

New partner Bloom Nutrition, founded by wellness influencer Mari Llewellyn and her husband Gregory LaVecchia in 2019, offered VIP guests the opportunity to refresh and recharge with wellness essentials, including Greens & Superfood powders, supplements, and their Bloom Sparkling Energy, the brand’s first ready-to-drink canned beverage. Also joining the roster to support Collider was Rendezvous Films, an alternative investment vehicle that provides creative equity financing to independent film, TV, and documentary content.

“We’re always tremendously gratified by the welcome we receive in Austin each year,” concludes Cinema Center founder and Roxstar CEO Davd Manning. “Will the help of our partners, we enable filmmakers to showcase, nourish and quench their films’ thirst for celebration.

ALL photos credit Lu Chau, Photagonist