Kicking off March 11, SXSW will take place in-person for the first time since 2019. With a Feature Competition slate that is majority-women-directed, there are a bunch of films we’re looking forward to checking out — including docs about Gabby Giffords and Wendy Davis, a sci-fi pic centering Inuit girls as they fight an alien invasion on the way to a party, and an experimental project that considers the intersection of sex work and social justice.

We’ve put together some highlights from SXSW’S 2022 lineup, but this preview is far from exhaustive. Among the other pics on are radar are Amy Scott’s portrait of Sheryl Crow and her experiences with fame, sexism, cancer, and depression, “Sheryl,” and “Still Working 9 to 5,” a look at how things have and have not changed for women in the workplace since the 1980 release of the classic comedy “9 to 5,” co-directed by Camille Hardman.

Be sure to keep an eye out for our interviews with women and nonbinary directors screening films at the fest — we’ll be rolling those out in the next couple days.

SXSW 2022 will held in-person March 11-20, and will feature some online offerings. Here are some of the titles we’re most excited about. Synopses are courtesy of the festival.

 “Slash/Back” – Directed by Nyla Innuksuk; Written by Nyla Innuksuk and Ryan Cavan

What it’s about: In a remote Arctic community, a group of Inuit girls fight off an alien invasion, all while trying to make it to the coolest party in town.

Why we’re excited: We were big fans of “Night Raiders,” Danis Goulet’s 2021 dystopian thriller about a Cree woman who joins a band of vigilantes in the hopes of rescuing her daughter from a state-controlled institution. We’re thrilled to see another women-centric genre pic from an Indigenous woman filmmaker and with an Indigenous cast on the festival circuit a year later – and “Slash/Back” sounds like an incredibly fun, wild romp.

“I grew up in Nunavut, Canada’s high arctic, and I’ve always wanted to showcase the beauty of this place. When I was younger I loved movies like ‘E.T.’ and ‘The Goonies’ that told stories about friendship and adventure, but with a fantastical twist,” writer-director Nyla Innuksuk told us. “I always thought that it would be neat to see a story like that set in an Indigenous community.”

“Mama Bears” (Documentary) – Directed by Daresha Kyi

What it’s about: “Mama Bears” is an intimate exploration of two “mama bears” — conservative, Christian mothers who have become fierce advocates for LGBTQ+ people — and a young lesbian whose struggle for self-acceptance exemplifies why the mama bears are so important.

Why we’re excited: When it comes to the intersection of religion, politics, and LGBTQ+ rights, we tend to think in binary terms. You’re either a conservative or you’re an LGBTQ+ ally. You’re a devout Christian or a person who identifies as queer. With “Mama Bears,” director Daresha Kyi is trying to add some nuance to a very black-and-white conversation. As she told Women and Hollywood in an upcoming interview, she sees the doc as “a powerful tool for bridging divides.”

The filmmaker also believes her project could help make conservative Christianity a safer place for LGBTQ+ folks. “I especially hope members of the LGBTQ+ community from conservative religious families who may have experienced the pain of familial rejection find it cathartic and healing. I want them to know that deeply religious people who love and accept them are fighting to make the world a more loving, safer place for them,” Kyi explained. “For religious families struggling to accept their LGBTQ+ children, I want the film to serve as a guide on how to ‘choose children over church’…I also want churches that are struggling with the issue of inclusion to use the film to jumpstart safe, candid conversations around the subject.”

“Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down” (Documentary) – Directed by Julie Cohen and Betsy West

What it’s about: A gunman ended her skyrocketing political career, but didn’t stop Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. With total access to her rehab, work fighting gun violence, and marriage to Sen. Mark Kelly, the film brings us inside Gabby’s extraordinary journey back.

Why we’re excited: Having previously chronicled the lives of icons Ruth Bader Ginsburg (“RBG”) and Julia Child (“Julia”) and unsung civil rights activist Pauli Murray (“My Name Is Pauli Murray”), Julie Cohen and Betsy West are turning their camera to another woman making an impact on politics and culture.

In 2011, while at an event with constituents, Arizona representative Gabby Giffords was shot in the head during a mass shooting, sustaining a severe brain injury. Since then, she has worked on her recovery and become an advocate for better gun control in the U.S. In a sense, she is the living embodiment of the personal being political, a symbol of America’s gun debate. We’re looking forward to getting to know the woman behind the symbol in “Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down.” What happened on January 8, 2011, is just one part of Giffords’ story — we want to learn about the other parts, too.

“More Than Robots” (Documentary) – Directed by Gillian Jacobs

“More Than Robots”

What it’s about: Four teams of teenagers from around the world prepare for the 2020 First Robotics Competition, but in a year like no other, the kids learn that there is more to the competition than just robots.

Why we’re excited: “Community” breakout Gillian Jacobs, who recently played a novelist visiting her alma mater in “I Used to Go Here,” is heading back to the classroom yet again, but this time she’ll be observing from behind the camera. “More Than Robots,” the actress’ feature directorial debut, sees her following highschoolers preparing for an international robotics competition.

This isn’t the first time that the “Love” star has tackled STEM-related subject matter — she previously helmed “The Queen of Code,” a short doc about Grace Hopper, a trailblazer who worked towards making computer technology more accessible to the general public.

Besides being educational, we’re betting “More Than Robots” will be entertaining and inspiring: we’re looking forward to being introduced to the innovators of tomorrow in what promises to be a fierce, eventful competition.

“Shouting Down Midnight” (Documentary) – Directed by Gretchen Stoeltje

“Shouting Down Midnight”

What it’s about: Both cautionary tale and rallying cry, “Shouting Down Midnight” recounts how the Wendy Davis filibuster of 2013 galvanized a new generation of activists and reveals what is at stake for us all in the struggle for reproductive freedom.

Why we’re excited: Before SB 8, the current onslaught of abortion bans, and the conservative-majority Supreme Court, there was Texas’ SB 5, restrictive abortion legislation whose passage was delayed thanks to state senator Wendy Davis. On June 25, 2013, Davis held a 13-hour filibuster, running out the clock on the legislative session so SB 5 could be blocked. Davis instantly became a star in the movement for reproductive justice and reminded everyone that it is possible for a single person to make a difference.

In addition to revisiting that victory, “Shouting Down Midnight” promises to also examine how much reproductive rights have been weakened in the nearly nine years since Davis’ filibuster — and how pro-choice activists have organized in response. At a time when the attacks on reproductive healthcare feel overwhelming, this doc helpfully breaks down where we’ve been, where we are, and where we go from here.

 “Skate Dreams” (Documentary) – Directed by Jessica Edwards

“Skate Dreams”

What it’s about: “Skate Dreams,” the first feature documentary about the rise of women’s skateboarding, profiles a group of women whose pursuit of self-expression, equality, and freedom have created an international movement of independence and empowerment.

Why we’re excited: We said goodbye to “Betty” after its second and final season concluded last year, and have been missing the days of seeing Camille, Kirt, Janay, and co. shredding ever since. “Skate Dreams” will offer the chance to meet more women making their mark on the male-dominated world of skateboarding, and seeing them work their magic. According to director Jessica Edwards, the doc is a “story of resilience and perseverance and a celebration of the power of community.”

In a soon to be published interview with us, Edwards revealed that she didn’t grow up skateboarding. “My feeling at that time was that skateboarding was not meant for me. It was meant for ‘cool’ boys, usually stoners who smoked in front of school. When my daughter turned six she wanted to try skateboarding,” she recalled. “I was thrilled and felt hopeful that times had changed. It seemed impossible that the misogynist leanings of the skate culture would still be prevalent in 2018. We got her a cute pink skateboard and enrolled her in after-school lessons. I started looking for films that she could watch to learn more about the culture and find inspiration in the powerful female athletes of the sport. While online, I discovered a community of women who were amazing to watch on their boards, and collectively promoting other women. This supportive crew was what I had been searching for as a young person and what I realized most young people are searching for,” she explained. “The global skateboarding movement has developed a sense of belonging and connectedness, and an opportunity for young people to find their own way no matter what gender they identify as, which is something that I want for all kids, especially my daughter.”

This the kind of empowering community we’re eager to learn more about.

“Split at the Root” (Documentary) – Directed by Linda Goldstein Knowlton

What it’s about: When a Guatemalan mother seeking asylum was separated from her kids under the Zero Tolerance Policy, a group of women sprang into action. Our film focuses on immigrant mothers navigating U.S. bureaucracy and the volunteer group reuniting separated families.

Why we’re excited: We love stories about women organizing in pursuit of social justice — and “Split at the Root” sees a group of women taking on one of the most evil aspects (and remnants) of the Trump Administration. In addition to shining a spotlight on the plight of women making their way through the United States’ labyrinthine immigration system, the doc also appears to celebrate the power of sisterhood, of women committed to helping other women. That’s something we’re always psyched to see.

“Really Good Rejects” (Documentary) – Directed by Alice Gu

What it’s about: The muted tones of rubber bridge guitars have delighted listeners the world over — from Wilco to Taylor Swift’s “Folklore.” Modern-day luthier Reuben Cox demystifies his process of creating some of rock’s most sought-after guitars.

Why we’re excited: Alice Gu is building an eclectic filmography. She made her directorial debut with 2020’s “The Donut King,” a portrait of Ted Ngoy, a Cambodian refugee who built a multi-million dollar donut empire. Now she’s taking on the story of Reuben Cox, who, despite building guitars and owning a guitar shop, admits that he’s not much of a player himself, and can only strum a few chords. He’s worked with some of the biggest names in music, but he’s never even been in a band.

Gu showed a playful flair for visuals in “The Donut King,” and we’re interested to see how she brings the process of building guitars to the big screen.

“Sell/Buy/Date” (Documentary/Narrative Hybrid) – Written and Directed by Sarah Jones 

“Sell/Buy/Date”

What it’s about: “Sell/Buy/Date” is a heartfelt, witty doc/narrative hybrid following Tony-winning performer/comedian Sarah Jones and her multicultural characters on a journey exploring her personal relationship to the sex industry through a social justice lens.

Why we’re excited: Based on her 2016 play of the same name, “Sell/Buy/Date” is Sarah Jones’ genre-blending investigation of sex work and its intersections with race, gender, and class. Not quite a narrative, and not totally non-fiction either, the film takes an unconventional, experimental approach to subject matter that’s long been stigmatized or ignored. Jones uses interviews, monologues, and characters she’s created to examine the connection she, and many others, have to the sex industry.

And if that wasn’t reason enough to be pumped, you can add this cherry to the sundae: Meryl Streep and Rashida Jones are among “Sell/Buy/Date’s” executive producers.