Stranger Things Star Brings Syracuse to the Spotlight With a Big Premiere at SXSW

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A new movie filmed in Syracuse is about to take a major step onto the global stage, and it comes with a familiar face that fans of Netflix will instantly recognize. Gaten Matarazzo, best known for his role as Dustin Henderson on Stranger Things, stars in the aptly titled “Pizza Movie,” which is set to make its worldwide debut at the SXSW Film & TV Festival in Austin, Texas.

The film is part of SXSW’s prestigious Narrative Spotlight lineup and will screen during the March 12–18 festival window, marking a significant moment for Syracuse’s growing reputation as a destination for film production.

From Syracuse Streets to the SXSW Spotlight

Shot in and around Syracuse last spring, “Pizza Movie” is the latest project from American High, a Liverpool-based production company known for blending coming-of-age stories with sharp humor and surreal twists. The film follows a deceptively simple premise: a group of college students head downstairs in their dorm to pick up a delivery pizza.

There’s just one problem.

They are “insanely high” on a homemade drug, transforming a short trip down two flights of stairs into a wildly surreal, mind-bending journey that challenges their friendships, perceptions, and sense of reality. What begins as a mundane errand spirals into an unexpectedly transformative adventure.

A Creative Team With Comedy Pedigree

“Pizza Movie” is co-written and co-directed by Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher, the comedy duo collectively known as BriTANicK. Both are well known for their work as writers on Saturday Night Live, and their comedic sensibility is expected to shine through in the film’s offbeat humor and absurd situations.

The movie previously carried the working title “The Untitled BriTANicK Pizza Movie,” before the team settled on its final name after weeks of internal debate. According to producer Jeremy Garelick, alternative titles included “Pie Hard,” “Cheese the Day,” and “Mission Impizzable.”

“Several others should never see the light of day,” Garelick joked on social media.

A Cast Packed With Young Talent

In addition to Matarazzo, the film stars Sean Giambrone, who played Adam Goldberg on ABC’s “The Goldbergs.” The ensemble cast also includes:

• Lulu Wilson (“Ouija: Origin of Evil,” “Annabelle: Creation”)

• Peyton Elizabeth Lee (“Andi Mack”)

• Sarah Sherman

• Caleb Hearon

• Marcus Scribner

• Miguel-Andres Garcia

• Justin Cooley

The film blends established young stars with emerging comedic voices, reinforcing American High’s reputation for spotlighting the next generation of talent.

Syracuse Takes Center Stage

For Syracuse, the SXSW premiere represents another win in a string of successful film projects shot in the area. Local neighborhoods, streets, and interiors doubled as the film’s college setting, further cementing Central New York as a viable and visually compelling filming location.

Stranger Things favorite headlines a Syracuse-shot film as the city celebrates a big premiere on the global festival stage

Though a full trailer has not yet been released, fans can catch a first-look preview on the SXSW website, offering a glimpse into the film’s trippy tone and comedic energy.

“Hope you’re not lactose intolerant,” Garelick teased online, “because THE PIZZA MOVIE is heading to Austin.”

What Comes After SXSW?

While SXSW marks the movie’s global debut, it won’t be the last stop. “Pizza Movie” is expected to receive a wider release on Hulu later on, as part of American High’s ongoing deal with the platform. The company has already produced several youth-focused films and series that found strong streaming audiences.

Producers on the project include Jeremy Garelick, Will Helps, and Molle DeBartolo, all of whom have been instrumental in bringing American High’s Syracuse-based productions to national audiences.

Part of a Bigger SXSW Lineup

“Pizza Movie” joins an eclectic SXSW slate that includes films such as I Love Boosters and other high-profile premieres, placing the Syracuse-shot film among notable industry names and rising indie projects.

A Big Moment for Fans and Filmmakers Alike

For fans of “Stranger Things,” the film offers a chance to see Gaten Matarazzo in a completely different, more experimental role. For Syracuse, it’s another spotlight moment that underscores the city’s growing importance in film and television production.

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What started as a quirky college story shot locally is now heading to one of the world’s most influential film festivals — proving that sometimes, even a simple pizza run can lead to something much bigger.