Annapurna Sriram’s F*CKTOYS Drops a Wild Teaser Ahead of SXSW World Premiere

The highly anticipated feature directorial debut of writer-director Annapurna Sriram, F*CKTOYS, is set to make its world premiere at the 2025 SXSW Film & TV Festival. With its blend of surrealism, dark humor, and social commentary, the film is positioned as a standout in this year’s Narrative Feature Competition.

A Bold Vision: What is F*CKTOYS About?

Set in the bizarre yet strangely romantic world of Trashtown, USA, F*CKTOYS follows the chaotic odyssey of AP, played by Sriram herself. After an inexplicable incident involving the loss of a tooth, AP is suddenly cursed, an affliction that only a group of psychics claims they can undo for the strangely specific price of $1,000.

What ensues is a fever-dream adventure across a landscape of smut, filth, and mysticism as AP navigates the absurdities of Trashtown. Her encounters with its colorful inhabitants, including shady figures and enigmatic guides, create a rollercoaster of events blending elements of grindhouse cinema, punk aesthetics, and a critique of economic desperation.

The film is more than just an eccentric thrill ride. It engages with themes of intimacy, exploitation, and class, painting a surreal yet incisive portrait of the struggles faced by those existing on the fringes of society. The world of F*CKTOYS is intentionally out of time, occupying a pre-millennial parallel universe rich in industrial grit, neon excess, and an undercurrent of raw emotion.

A Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team

In addition to Sriram in the lead role, F*CKTOYS boasts an eclectic cast, including:

• Sadie Scott (Crumb Catcher)
• François Arnaud (The Borgias, Midnight, Texas)
• Damian Young (Birdman, House of Cards)
• Big Freedia, the renowned “Queen of Bounce” musician and LGBTQ+ icon
• Brandon Flynn (13 Reasons Why)
• Lorrie Odom, Jowin Batoon, Tamika Lawrence, and Arianna Ortiz

The film is produced by Timothy Petryni, with cinematography by Cory Fraiman-Lott, further cementing its strong creative foundation.

SXSW World Premiere and Screenings

The film is set to make its world premiere at SXSW on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 9:15 PM at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar. Additional screenings will be held on March 11 and March 15 at various Alamo Drafthouse locations.

F*CKTOYS will be competing in SXSW’s Narrative Feature Competition, an esteemed section that highlights innovative and boundary-pushing storytelling in independent cinema.

A Cinematic Experience Unlike Any Other

For those familiar with the aesthetic and narrative chaos of exploitation cinema, F*CKTOYS promises to be a genre-bending ride unlike any other. The film’s bubblegum grindhouse approach melds campy, hyper-stylized visuals with biting social critique, making it a unique entry in contemporary indie filmmaking.

Sriram’s direction is expected to bring a fiercely original voice to the festival, cementing her as a filmmaker to watch. Early descriptions of the film suggest a mix of influences, including the irreverence of John Waters, the neon-drenched fever dreams of Nicolas Winding Refn, and the absurdist social satire of Gregg Araki.

Watch the Official Teaser

Ahead of its SXSW debut, the teaser for F*CKTOYS has been released, offering audiences a tantalizing glimpse into its chaotic, pastel-colored world. The brief yet visually arresting preview showcases the film’s unique blend of dark comedy, high-energy cinematography, and a punk-infused attitude.

Seeking Distribution: What’s Next for F*CKTOYS?

Despite its highly anticipated premiere, F*CKTOYS is still seeking distribution, making its SXSW screening a crucial opportunity for potential buyers to secure the film for wider release. Given its distinct visual style and boundary-pushing narrative, the film could find a home with distributors that specialize in bold, avant-garde indie films.

For those attending SXSW, F*CKTOYS is undoubtedly one of the must-watch films of the festival. Whether it finds mainstream success or remains a cult favorite, one thing is certain. Annapurna Sriram has arrived with a vision that refuses to be ignored.

For more details on the film and its SXSW screenings, visit the official SXSW lineup.