The upcoming documentary Black Zombie will make its World Premiere in the Documentary Spotlight section at the SXSW Film & TV Festival on March 13, 2026. Written and directed by Maya Annik Bedward, the film examines the historical and cultural roots of the zombie mythos, offering a deeper look at how one of horror’s most recognizable figures emerged from real-world traditions.
Black Zombie traces the creature’s beginnings in Haiti, where folklore shaped by enslavement, spirituality, and resistance laid the foundation for what would later become a global pop culture phenomenon. The documentary follows the zombie’s evolution from Vodou practices to its cinematic appearances in films such as White Zombie, Night of the Living Dead, and The Serpent and the Rainbow, highlighting how the mythology transformed over time while often losing connection to its origins.
Featuring interviews with contributors including Yves-Grégory Francois, Erol Josué, Tom Savini, Tananarive Due, Slash, and Zandashé Brown, the film positions itself as both a cultural examination and a reframing of zombie history. By reclaiming the narrative through a Haitian perspective, Black Zombie invites audiences to reconsider the legacy behind one of horror’s most profitable and persistent icons when it premieres at SXSW this spring.
Public Screenings:
Friday, March 13th, at 2:45PM CST at Alamo Lamar 6, Austin TX
Saturday, March 14th, at 10:45 AM CST at Alamo Lamar 3, Austin TX
Saturday, March 14th, at 10:45 AM CST at Alamo Lamar 1, Austin TX
Tuesday, March 17th, at 3:30 PM CST at Violet Crown 3, Austin TX
Tuesday, March 17th, at 3:30 PM CST at Violet Crown 1, Austin TX
