Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 17, 2026

The Python Hunt

The Python Hunt is a 2025 American documentary film, directed and produced by Xander Robin. It follows a group of hunters competing in an invasive python removal contest in the Everglades, over the course of ten nights.

Last revised
Jun 17, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
540 w
Citations
13
Source
Wikipedia ↗
The Python Hunt
Theatrical release poster
Directed byXander Robin
Produced by
Cinematography
  • David Bolen
  • Matt Clegg
Edited byMax Allman
Music byNick León
Production
companies
Distributed byOscilloscope Laboratories
Release dates
  • March 8, 2025 (2025-03-08) (SXSW)
  • May 8, 2026 (2026-05-08)
Running time
91 minutes1
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$40,17623

The Python Hunt is a 2025 American documentary film, directed and produced by Xander Robin. It follows a group of hunters competing in an invasive python removal contest in the Everglades, over the course of ten nights.

It had its world premiere at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival on March 8, 2025. It was released on May 8, 2026, by Oscilloscope Laboratories.

Premise

Every year, the Florida government invites the public to participate in a competitive invasive python removal contest.4

Production

Lance Oppenheim approached Xander Robin about making a documentary revolving around the Python Hunt competition.5 Artists Equity produced and financed the film.6

Release

It had its world premiere at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival on March 8, 2025, where it won the Documentary Feature Competition Special Jury Award.78 It also screened at the Miami Film Festival on April 9, 2025, where it won the Made in MIA Feature Film Award.910 In October 2025, Oscilloscope Laboratories acquired distribution rights to the film.11 It was released on May 8, 2026.12

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 95% of 22 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.8/10.13

See also

See also

References

References

  1. "The Python Hunt". South by Southwest. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  2. "The Python Hunt". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 25, 2026.
  3. "The Python Hunt". The Numbers. Retrieved May 25, 2026.
  4. Bedard, Diane (February 27, 2025). "Local Hunter Toby Benoit to be Featured in "The Python Hunt" Film". Nature Coaster. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  5. Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 8, 2025). "Artists Equity Unveils Slithery Docu 'The Python Hunt' At SXSW". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  6. Thompson, Anne (March 14, 2025). "'The Python Hunt': How Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's Artists Equity Helped Turn a Snake-Hunting Contest Into a SXSW Doc Hit". IndieWire. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  7. Grobar, Matt (January 22, 2025). "Seth Rogen Comedy Series 'The Studio' To Open SXSW 2025; 'The Accountant 2,' 'Death Of A Unicorn', 'Drop,' 'Happy Face' & More Also To Screen". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  8. Roberts, Jordan (March 12, 2025). "SXSW 2025 Film & TV Jury and Special Awards Winners Announced". South by Southwest. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  9. "The Python Hunt". Miami Film Festival. February 2, 2025. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  10. Stephan, Katcy (March 6, 2025). "Miami Film Festival Sets Lineup With 'Meet the Barbarians' Opening and 'On Swift Horses' Closing Night Screening". Variety. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  11. Lang, Brent (October 23, 2025). "Oscilloscope Laboratories Buys Doc 'The Python Hunt' From Filmmaker Xander Robin and Artists Equity (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  12. Zilko, Christian (April 21, 2026). "'The Python Hunt' Trailer: A Wacky Cast of Snake Hunters Descend Upon the Everglades in Stranger-Than-Fiction Doc". IndieWire. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  13. "The Python Hunt". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
External links