UGLY CRY - SXSW Premiere Interview
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Caption: Still of Emily Robinson | Credit: Photo Courtesy of More Avenue
At this year’s SXSW Film & TV Festival, actor-turned-filmmaker Emily Robinson goes behind the camera with her feature directorial debut, Ugly Cry. The psychological thriller premiering in the festival’s Narrative Spotlight section examines the quiet brutality of perfectionism and the relentless pressures placed on performers in the digital age.
Best known for her acting work in projects like Eighth Grade, Private Life, and the television series Transparent, Robinson channels years of industry experience into a deeply personal first feature. The result is an unsettling exploration of beauty standards, self-scrutiny, and the psychological toll of comparison culture.
At the center of Ugly Cry is Delaney (Emily Robinson) an aspiring actress that loses a coveted role after her emotional audition devolves into what casting directors dismiss as an “ugly cry.” What begins as a professional setback quickly spirals into an obsessive quest for perfection—one that pushes Delaney into increasingly dangerous territory.
Robinson originally conceived Ugly Cry as an existential comedy about beauty standards, but during development the story evolved into something darker, “it’s not body horror, but it is about the horror of having a body.” I got the chance to speak with Emily Robinson before the festival began, listen to the full interview down below!
SCREENING SHOWTIMES
** 🎞️ MAR 12, 2026 6:45PM - 8:19PM 📌 ALAMO LAMAR 2&7 ** WORLD PREMIERE
🎞️ MAR 14, 2026 3:15PM - 4:49PM 📌 ALAMO LAMAR 2&7
🎞️ MAR 15, 2026 3:00PM - 4:34PM 📌 VIOLET CROWN 2&4
