MUMBAI: Columbia Pictures’ film 21 will open the 15th South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference & Festival on 7 March, 2008. Based on Ben Mezrichs’ popular book Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions , the film is scheduled to open in theaters on 28 March.

The film directed by Robert Luketic and scripted by Peter Steinfeld and Allan Loeb stars Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, Jim Sturgess and Laurence Fishburne. It will screen at Austin’s Paramount Theater, on 7 March to launch nine days of SXSW’s film screenings, parties, panel sessions, and trade show.

Festival producer Matt Dentler said, “We’re thrilled to have 21 screen as the opening night film of SXSW 2008.”

Some other titles that will be screened at the festival include At the Death House Door directed by Steve James and Peter Gilbert, Dreams With Sharp Teeth directed by Erik Nelson and Flawless, directed by Michael Radford.

SXSW will announce the complete lineup of 2008 features and shorts in early February.