Three esteemed women directors returned home last week after two smashing, successful events held in Austin, TX during SXSW 2018.

On March 11, Angie Rowntree (Sssh.com), Dee Severe (Severe Sex Films), and Shine Louise Houston (Pink & White Productions) participated in the official SXSW Film panel “Using Explicit Sex as a Storytelling Element” (#sexstoryfilm). The event was organized and moderated by sociologist Dr. Chauntelle Tibbals.

The panel discussion focused on the complexities associated with using explicit sex in filmmaking, as well as various social issues impacting adult entertainment today — an interesting bookend to filmmaker Spike Lee’s master class, which was being held at the exact same time.

“SXSW was an amazing experience,” Severe said. “It was great to see the porn and mainstream film worlds intersecting, and it gave me all kind of creative ideas for the future!”

“I find it heartening that people are starting to accept adult entertainment as just another genre of filmmaking, rather than as something inherently ‘lower’ or less deserving of consideration as an art form,” Rowntree shared. “I hope that trend continues and that we see more filmmakers embracing sex as a potent and meaningful way to drive their stories forward.”

“I had a great conversation about sex in cinema at SXSW — glad to be a part of it,” Houston added.

Later that same day, the filmmakers made their way to the Austin Dungeon for #SexStoryFilmFest. Attendees to the sold-out event were treated to 30 minutes of narrative content from each director, followed by an intimate Q&A with the directors and a free-flowing selection of Texas craft beers.

#SexStoryFilmFest was co-organized and hosted by Dr. Tibbals and performer Jiz Lee. The event was supported by Takedown Piracy, with publicity support from AVN Media Network. Joe Robles and Shannon Molina from Dreamers Texas were on hand, as were traveling model Becky LeSabre and Fleshlight CamStar and Flirt4Free top model Lindsey Banks.