Boots Riley's 'Boosting Love,' featuring Keke Palmer, to open 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival

Boots Riley returns with his newest film, I Love Boosters, which is set to open the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival. The film, featuring Keke Palmer, Lakeith Stanfield, and Don Cheadle, will have its world premiere on the festivals opening night, running from March 12-18 in Austin, Texas.

The story follows a group of professional shoplifters known as the Velvet Gang, who set their sights on a ruthless fashion mogul as their next target.

Claudette Godfrey, SXSW's vice president of film & TV, commented, The Velvet Gang has taken over Austin, and Opening Night at SXSW 2026 marks the beginning of their global adventure! We are thrilled to debut Boots Rileys I Love Boosters, a film that is both wildly inventive and utterly unpredictable.

She added, This film is bold, captivating, and will ensure our festival starts with an unforgettable bang. You wont want to miss the Velvet Gang making their entrance!

Additional cast members include Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza Gonzalez, and Demi Moore. I Love Boosters marks Rileys third premiere at SXSW, following Sorry to Bother You in 2018 and I Am A Virgo in 2023.

Author: Noah Whitman