Gaten Matarazzos Syracuse-Filmed Pizza Movie
Gaten Matarazzo Pizza Movie SXSW premiere 2026
The Syracuse-produced independent film Pizza Movie, starring Stranger Things favorite Gaten Matarazzo, has officially announced its world premiere at the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival. The production, which was filmed on location in Central New York under the American High banner, is scheduled to debut during the prestigious Austin-based festival taking place from March 12 to March 18, 2026. Matarazzo, widely known for his role as Dustin Henderson in the recently concluded Netflix phenomenon, leads the ensemble alongside Sean Giambrone, best known for his work on The Goldbergs. The announcement marks a significant milestone for the Syracuse film community, which has become a hub for youth-centric storytelling and independent cinema over the past decade through the efforts of local production studios and the New York State film tax credit program.
Pizza Movie is described as a high-energy, coming-of-age comedy that leans into the nostalgic and often chaotic environment of a local pizza parlor. The project utilized several iconic Syracuse locations during its principal photography phase, including a converted high school building that serves as the permanent production headquarters for American High. For Matarazzo, the role represents a key step in his post-Stranger Things career, allowing him to showcase his comedic timing in a feature-length project that balances slapstick humor with the authentic growing pains of adolescence. The film’s inclusion in the SXSW lineup is viewed as a major vote of confidence from festival programmers, who frequently use the platform to launch independent breakout hits that resonate with younger demographics and digital-savvy audiences.
The premiere follows the late 2025 release of the final season of Stranger Things, which saw the core cast members transition into new professional chapters after a decade on the world’s most popular streaming series. As part of the American High ecosystem, Pizza Movie joins a growing list of Syracuse-born films that have successfully secured national distribution and critical attention. Local industry experts believe that having a star of Matarazzo’s caliber associated with a Syracuse production will further solidify the region’s reputation as a viable alternative to the traditional filming hubs of Los Angeles and New York City. The 2026 SXSW screening is expected to draw a significant crowd of both industry professionals and fans eager to see the “Dustin” actor take on a fresh, non-supernatural role.
Following its festival debut in Austin, Pizza Movie is expected to pursue a wide theatrical or streaming release later in the year. American High has a history of successful partnerships with platforms like Hulu and Disney+, making it likely that the film will find a digital home shortly after its initial screenings. For the residents of Syracuse, the film’s premiere is a point of local pride, reflecting the continued growth of a creative economy that employs hundreds of local crew members and extras. As the festival dates approach, additional details regarding the film’s full supporting cast and official trailer are anticipated to be released by the production team, adding to the momentum for one of the most talked-about indie projects of the 2026 spring season.
