Matthew McConaughey movie filmed in Birmingham gets standing ovation at SXSW๐ฝ๏ธ๐ฟ
“The Rivals of Amziah King,” starring Matthew McConaughey, premiered at the 2025 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival in Austin, Texas this week to a standing ovation. The movie was filmed in Alabama in 2023.
“The Rivals of Amziah King” was filmed in Alabama
During filming, McConaughey was spotted throughout Central Alabama, including Bessemer, Mountain Brook, Pell City and at Birmingham’s Frothy Monkey. Sightings continued in Hoover and Winston County throughout June and July 2023.
A standing ovation at SXSW
The film, directed by Andrew Patterson, is described as an atmospheric crime thriller set in Oklahoma. It follows Kateri (played by Angelina LookingGlass) who reunites with her former foster parent Amziah (Matthew McConaughey), who becomes her mentor but faces threats from town rivals.
The star-studded cast includes Kurt Russell, Cole Sprouse, Rob Morgan, Owen Teague, Scott Shepherd, Tony Revolori, and Angelina LookingGlass.
So cool that there were many local Alabama residents were employed as background actors and cast.
Grab the popcorn- alright – alright – alright then
~ Mike “Sandman” Sanders
Actor Matthew McConaughey arrives on the observation deck the Empire State Building in New York City, U.S., September 12, 2023. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton