Austin, TX
Proud parents and kids rising to the occasion: Keeping it all in the family at South by Southwest
AUSTIN, Texas — It is often said that the people who come together to make a movie end up feeling like family. At this year’s SXSW there are a number of movies where some of those people actually are family.
Starring husband and wife Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, “Family Movie” also features their two adult children, Sosie Bacon and Travis Bacon. (Sosie’s partner, the actor Scoot McNairy, has a small role as well.) The story is about a family that makes low-budget horror movies together, touching on the growing tensions their lack of success creates among them and the lengths they will go to for their latest project.
“Their Town,” about two high school students connecting after they are thrown together for a school play, is directed by Katie Aselton, written by her husband Mark Duplass and stars their 18-year-old daughter Ora Duplass in her first feature.
There are several other films at SXSW with family ties: Jonás Cuarón’s literary adaptation “Campeón Gabacho” is produced by his father, Alfonso Cuarón, and features music by his cousin Mateo Cuarón. Dempsey Bryk directs his brother Billy Bryk in the comedy “Crash Land.” And Maude Apatow directs her mother Leslie Mann in the dramedy “Poetic License.”
Kyra Sedgwick, from left, Kevin Bacon, Sosie Bacon and Travis Bacon of “Family Movie” pose for a portrait at SXSW on March 13, 2026, in Austin, Texas.
(Robby Klein / Getty Images for IMDb)
On a video call from a Santa Monica post-production facility where they were finishing their movie shortly before the festival, both Bacon and Sedgwick acknowledge that they co-directed “Family Movie” together but because of DGA rules, only one of them could be credited. They decided on Bacon.
“It was actually a really good one for us to direct together because we’re both acting in it,” says Bacon. “So if we had a scene where Kyra was in hair and makeup and wardrobe, I could be by the monitor. And my technique for directing her is usually just staying out of her way and making sure that the camera’s in the right spot. If we were both in the scene, it would become a little bit more of a collaboration.”
The project’s origins go back to when they made a short together during the pandemic on their farm in Connecticut. (“We’re workaholics and you can say that loud and clear in the L.A. Times so that we get more work,” cracks Sedgwick, maybe only half-kidding.) They had an idea for a feature about a filmmaking family. After they brought on screenwriter Dan Beers, he separately interviewed Sedgwick, Bacon and their children while developing the script into more of a comedy.
“So there’s some meta stuff going on in the movie,” says Sedgwick. “But it was always made for our family to do together.”
“And honestly, we didn’t know that the kids were going to say yes,” notes Bacon.
“We were so excited about the idea and we were like: Hope the kids want to do this,” continues Sedgwick. “I was like, I’m sure they’re not going to want to do it. And they were like, ‘We’d love to.’ I couldn’t believe it. It made me very happy.”
Kevin Bacon, from left, Sosie Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick and Travis Bacon in “Family Movie.”
(SXSW)
The Bacon-Sedgwick clan shot on a ranch near Round Top, Texas, having first scouted the location when Bacon was at SXSW last year with the series “The Bondsman.” Though Sosie is an established performer with roles in movies such as “Smile” and the current series “Scarpetta,” Travis, a musician, had never acted before. (He also did the music for “Family Movie.”)
One possible concern heading into the project was whether the family’s off-screen dynamics translated into something legitimately special on-screen or merely a lot “Ugh, mom” or “Whatever, dad” moments of behind-the-scenes tension.
But that didn’t prove to be an issue. Much.
“I would say that the family dynamics were pretty evident on set,” said Bacon, dryly. “But I will also say that our kids remain just wonders to us in terms of their level of hard work and professionalism and kindness. We’re not really surprised, but to actually see it was very touching and really kind of magical.”
Sedgwick noted that all four of them lived on one property with three small houses during the shoot so they were able to spend even more time than usual together during production, often having coffee together in the mornings.
“As a parent, you don’t really get to watch your kids navigating their way in the world as adults,” she says. “So having a window into that and also to be like, ‘Phew, they’re such good people,’ it was just such a gift. Because it could have been, ‘Geez, they’re a nightmare.’”
Ora Duplass, right, and Chosen Jacobs in the movie “Their Town.”
(SXSW)
That feeling of a parent’s pleasant astonishment at how their children carried themselves became a part of the making of the Aselton-Duplass family’s “Their Town” as well. Mark Duplass wrote the project specifically with his daughter Ora in mind, his script a reflection of how platonic friendships among Gen Z often seemed as important as romantic relationships. That wasn’t being reflected in the young adult projects he saw. He quickly realized the perfect director was right there in Ora’s mother Aselton.
On a three-way call shortly before the start of SXSW, Mark Duplass is at his production company’s office in Highland Park, Katie Aselton is at their home in Los Angeles and Ora Duplass is in Vancouver finishing shooting on the upcoming Disney+ series “Coven Academy.”
“Just speaking candidly, you have all these ideas when you raise kids about how you want things to go,” says Mark Duplass. “When Katie and I had Ora all we could think of was that we’re going to show her all our favorite movies and she’s going to love all of our favorite movies. And it’s just not that way. She’s not as interested in our stuff and we’re not always as interested in her stuff. And it’s made this unexpected but actually quite beautiful blend, which is we actually come at these things from different angles.
“She is squarely her own person and fought kicking tooth and nail to become that through ages 14, 15 and 16 and has come out the other side,” he continues. “And in a lot of ways, this movie was a part of that process. And I think the movie is better for it. It’s different than I thought it would be. And richer.”
“There were a lot of wild family dynamics to sift through,” says Aselton, whose previous films as director include “The Freebie” and “Magic Hour.” “But then that’s also what a film set is like. Once you’re on a great film set, you’re all family anyways, you’re all interconnected and leaning on each other. And with similar emotional pitfalls.”
Ora Duplass admits she was nervous about how their mother-daughter dynamic would play out on set, but she soon found it to be much more of a bonus than a problem.
“I think we were really great at separating it, but I also feel like we didn’t need to,” she says. “It was just kind of one in that moment: She’s my mother and also my director that’s comforting me, helping me through the scene. It worked really well.”
“It is a gift as a director to know what the true emotional depth of your lead actor is,” adds Aselton. “I know what she’s capable of, which is so cool because when you are working with someone that you met a couple weeks prior, you don’t always know.”
Mark Duplass echoes the sentiments of Bacon and Sedgwick, seeing his daughter as a working adult and being moved.
“Not to get corny, but I’m the dad here and I’ve got to say just this one thing,” he adds, a growing swell of emotion in his voice. “As parents, we were watching Ora, who was in that COVID generation that had it really tough. And so we wanted to set this challenge for her, but we weren’t sure exactly how it was going to go. And when you watch Ora show up and do these 12-hour days out in the cold at night and just sort of rise up, it was one of the most incredible moments I’ve had as a parent, when you’re watching your child find that thing that they love and are good at. And it did happen on this movie.”
As to whether these family units will work together again, Sedgwick and Bacon acknowledge it is not entirely up to them.
“I’m sure they’ve had it with us,” Sedgwick says with a laugh. “For me it was heavenly from the beginning till the end. That doesn’t mean that it was always easy, but it was kind of beyond my wildest dreams.”
Duplass and Aselton say their younger daughter Molly has no interest in show business. And Ora’s career already seems well underway on its own.
“My goal: I’m 49, I’m ready to get to that part of my career where I’ve lost my creative center,” the “Morning Show” star jokes, “I go into the big fade, Ora becomes immensely popular and successful and I ride her coattails all the way into the sunset. I would love that so much.”
Asks Aselton, “Can we be nepo-parents?”
AUSTIN, Texas — “We’re very committed to being in Austin, Texas. We are excited that in March 2027, we will be back in Austin for another iteration of SXSW,” said SVP of SXSW Programming Greg Rosenbaum.
South by Southwest organizers are continuing to deny speculation that the festival could be moving out of Austin. A demolished convention center has forced South By to make significant changes this year, but that does not mean the festival will be uprooted.
The demolition of the Austin Convention Center forced SXSW to create a reimagined, decentralized footprint. Instead of having panels, sessions, and workshops in one central hub, everything is now everywhere in Downtown Austin.
Three SXSW clubhouses spread across downtown are now serving as smaller hubs for Innovation, Music, and TV and Film. Each gives its audience a place to relax, network, and attend sessions.
“It is a completely different experience,” said Walter Silva.
This is Silva’s third SXSW. Sitting in the Innovation Clubhouse at 4th and Brazos Streets, he says his opinion about the extra walking and navigating this year has changed from Day 1 to Day 5.
ALSO| SXSW denies rumors that the event could relocate to a different city in the future
“At first, well, I found myself rushing a little bit and trying to manage it. But no, it is fine. It is fine because, you see, at most conferences you get stuck in a convention center. You do not get the opportunity to walk around the city,” said Silva.
South-By has been intentional this year in giving badge holders and the public more to see and do. Rivian’s Electric Joyride in front of the State Capitol offers a passenger seat view of the festival’s new format. It is part of a first-time takeover of three blocks of Congress Avenue during all seven days of the festival.
“We’ve been excited to see folks embrace the city of Austin and really get on their feet, see the city, and be part of the programming here,” said Rosenbaum.
Hulu’s street activation for the new show The Testaments pushed the boundaries of the festival even further. The South Congress event is another example of how South by Southwest organizers are committing to Austin as their home base.
“Will you be coming back to Austin next year?” asked CBS Austin Reporter Bettie Cross.
“South by Southwest has been in Austin for 40 years. We are so proud of 40 years of SXSW in Austin, Texas, and we see many, many, many more years ahead of us. We are so proud to be in Austin, and our future is here,” said Rosenbaum.
Badge holders say they hope the clubhouse concept stays even after the new convention center opens.
“I prefer the decentralized way,” said Silva. “I prefer this format.”
The rebuild of the convention center will take a couple of more years. The new and improved facility will be open for SXSW 2029.
Good morning, Texas. Here’s what you need to know today.
Your Weather Planner
After a chilly start, Texas will experience bright and sunny skies with southerly winds. Temperatures will rise into the 60s and 70s. Wednesday morning will bring another chilly start, but temperatures will gradually climb toward the end of the week as high pressure moves over the state. This will result in summer-like temperatures tonight to kick off the official start of spring on Friday.
Get your 7-day forecast: Austin | San Antonio | Dallas
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Watch the latest news and more local stories from across the country.
Introducing Spectrum News+
Watch the latest news and more local stories from across the country.
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During high fire danger days, Austin Fire recommends moving any items within the immediate zone at least 5 feet away from one’s property, or store them in a closed structure.
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“All the Empty Rooms” won the Academy Award for best documentary short at Sunday’s Oscars. The film follows CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp as they document the empty bedrooms of children lost to school shootings over seven years.
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Deep in the Heart of Texas
The sights and sounds of Western tradition were seen and heard at NRG Stadium on March 5, 2026, three days after the 20-day event started. Crowds of cowboys and cowgirls had their boots on the ground, exploring everything Rodeo Houston is best known for. (Photo: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo)
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Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues over 90-year tradition
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Austin, TX
Austin Natural Mattress Celebrates 26 Years as Central Texas Leader in Organic and Non-Toxic Sleep Products
AUSTIN, Texas, March 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Austin Natural Mattress is celebrating its 26th year serving Central Texas, marking a milestone that reflects how dramatically consumer awareness of mattress materials and sleep environments has evolved over the past two decades.
Austin Natural Mattress: Serving Austin Healthy Sleep Since 1999
Founded by Shane Coker, Austin Natural Mattress opened at a time when most shoppers focused primarily on mattress firmness, while synthetic petroleum-based foams such as memory foam had become the conventional industry norm. Today, many customers arrive asking detailed questions about mattress construction, materials, and whether products contain synthetics, fiberglass, or chemical fire retardants.
“Twenty-six years ago few thought twice about what their mattress was made of,” said Shane Coker, owner of Austin Natural Mattress. “Now customers regularly ask about natural latex, organic certifications, and whether mattresses contain fiberglass or chemical fire retardants.”
Americans spend roughly one-third of their lives in bed, and growing interest in sleep health has led many consumers to pay closer attention to the materials surrounding them during sleep.
That awareness has increased in recent years as conversations about indoor air quality, allergy season, and low-toxic homes have become more common among homeowners. News organizations, scientists, and whistle-blowers have also alerted the public & helped inform the discussion.
According to Amanda Demuth, MSN, RN, wellness advisor at Austin Natural Mattress, the bedroom environment plays a larger role in sleep health than many people realize.
“The materials in mattresses and bedding are in direct contact with people for eight hours every night and can influence the air they breathe,” Demuth said. “Many of our customers come in looking for relief from chemical sensitivities that can show up as morning congestion, headaches, sore throats, or itchy skin. Others have just done their research and have come to realize just how toxic many non-organic mattresses can be.”
Austin Natural Mattress specializes in natural, organic, and non-toxic mattresses made with materials such as certified organic latex, cotton, and wool, and maintains a showroom free of products containing fiberglass or chemical fire retardants.
The store carries natural, organic, and luxury brands including Avocado, Naturepedic, Vispring, and The Natural Mattress Home, all known for using natural materials and transparent construction.
Austin Natural Mattress has remained locally owned since its founding in 1999 and continues to serve customers across Central Texas and beyond. The company later expanded with a sister showroom, Houston Natural Mattress, serving the Greater Houston area.
Media tours of the showroom and interviews with owner Shane Coker and wellness advisor Amanda Demuth, MSN, RN are available upon request.
About Austin Natural Mattress
Locally owned since 1999, Austin Natural Mattress specializes in natural, organic, and luxury sleep solutions. Our curated selection includes premium, eco-friendly brands such as Avocado, Naturepedic, Vispring, Posh + Lavish, and The Natural Mattress Home. Dedicated to superior comfort, sustainability, and wellness, Austin Natural Mattress continues to set the benchmark for healthy, luxurious sleep.
Press Inquiries
Amanda Demuth
amanda@austinnaturalmattress.com
(512) 452-4444
https://www.austinnaturalmattress.com
Austin Natural Mattress
7530 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78757
A video accompanying this announcement is available here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=uT6GLULk4GU
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