Reviewed by: Pat Byington
Matthew McConaughey movie filmed in Birmingham gets standing ovation at SXSW
Reading time: 3 minutes
This week, “The Rivals of Amziah King” made its world premiere at the annual 2025 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival in Austin, Texas. The movie—which was filmed in 2023 right here in Alabama and stars Matthew McConaughey—received a standing ovation.
“The Rivals of Amziah King” was filmed in Alabama
Although “The Rivals of Amziah King” is set in Oklahoma, the principal photography for the movie was filmed right here in Alabama.
During filming, social media was abuzz with spottings of the actors and actresses involved—especially “Dazed and Confused” and “Wolf of Wall Street” star Matthew McConaughey. The actor was spotted all over Central Alabama—here’s a recap:
- May 22: Casting for The Rivals of Amziah King starring Matthew McConaughey begins in Birmingham.
- June 15: Jefferson County residents report McConaughey spottings in Bessemer, Mountain Brook, Pell City and at the Frothy Monkey in downtown Birmingham.
- June 30: Additional Matthew McConaughey and crew sightings in Hoover and Winston County
- July 5: A local Birmingham Pastor invites Matthew McConaughey and community to see The Rivals of Amziah King with her church.
A standing ovation at SXSW
Amid the 2025 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival in Austin, Texas, “The Rivals of Amziah King” made its world’s premiere on Monday, March 10. The movie is the second project from filmmaker Andrew Patterson, whose directorial debut “The Vast of Night,” won the Best Narrative Feature Audience Award at the 2019 Slamdance Film Festival.
Described in a press release as a “deeply atmospheric, character-focused crime thriller set against the unique backdrop of remote Oklahoma,” the film follows Kateri (played by Native American actress and singer Angelina LookingGlass) as she reunites with her former foster parent Amziah (played by Matthew McConaughey), who becomes her mentor and is threatened by the town’s rivals.
“The Rivals of Amziah King” has several big names attached in addition to Matthew McConaughey, including:
- Kurt Russel
- Cole Sprouse
- Rob Morgan
- Owen Teague
- Scott Shepherd
- Tony Revolori
- Angelina LookingGlass
Bonus: Want to know what it was like to be an extra in “The Rivals of Amziah King”? Local real estate agent Jessica Daviston and her daughter, Charlotte, were picked to participate as extras in the film—click here to read their story.
Excited to see “The Rivals of Amziah King”? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!
