‘We are not alone’: Steven Spielberg shares his true feelings about aliens and UFOs at SXSW

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At this year’s SXSW Film & TV Festival, a highlight wasn’t a film premiere, but a conversation with director Steven Spielberg. He joined podcast host Sean Fennessey for a live recording of “The Big Picture,” discussing his long career and frequently returning to themes of science fiction and aliens, particularly in relation to his new movie, “Disclosure Day,” which comes out on June 12th.

Despite not sharing much about the new movie, Spielberg kept mentioning it throughout the conversation, suggesting it was top of mind for him – even though he was technically there to talk about a different project.

The event, attended by filmmakers like Robert Rodriguez and Daniel Kwan, opened with a highlight reel showcasing the incredible impact of the 79-year-old director. The montage – featuring films such as “Jaws,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “E.T.,” “Schindler’s List,” “Jurassic Park,” “The Sugarland Express,” and “Catch Me If You Can,” among others – felt like a celebration of the power of cinema itself.

Movies

This year’s SXSW Film & TV Festival will feature new movies and shows with Keke Palmer, Elle Fanning, Nick Offerman, Hannah Einbinder, Lola Tung, and other talented actors.

According to Fennessey, Steven Spielberg envisioned making “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” his initial foray into science fiction about extraterrestrial life, before he even created “Jaws” in 1975. Spielberg himself revealed that his desire to make the film—originally called “The UFO Movie”—dated back even further, to before his 1974 movie, “Sugarland Express.”

When asked about President Obama’s remarks on the possibility of alien life, Spielberg admitted he was thrilled, thinking it was perfect timing for a potential ‘Disclosure Day’ – a public reveal of extraterrestrial contact. He noted Obama later clarified his belief in life existing somewhere in the universe, which Spielberg believes everyone should accept, as it’s unlikely we’re the only intelligent life out there. Spielberg has always felt this way, even as a child, and his main question remains: are we currently alone?

His interest in the topic grew after reading a 2017 New York Times article about U.S. Navy pilots encountering unexplained objects in the sky, and was further sparked by a 2023 Congressional hearing on the same subject.

Spielberg admitted he didn’t have any special knowledge about the topic, but shared his firm belief that we aren’t the only ones on Earth. He explained that this idea was the basis for one of his films.

Spielberg shared his thoughts on the implications of discovering alien life, saying he isn’t worried about aliens themselves, whether they’re nearby or far away. He believes their film explores how such a discovery – especially if it revealed a long history of interaction – could unsettle people’s beliefs. While acknowledging this could be disruptive, he doesn’t think it would be devastating, but rather a significant challenge to existing belief systems.

Spielberg shared that he’s working on a western film planned to be shot in Texas. He didn’t want to share many details, but emphasized it would avoid common clichés of the genre.

He mentioned he doesn’t use social media, but briefly tried Instagram once. He said it felt so time-consuming that it was like losing time to another world.

He jokingly added that, despite his interest in the subject, he’s never personally experienced anything related to aliens.

Spielberg jokingly pointed out the irony of directing ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’ while never having experienced anything remotely similar himself. He quipped, “Where’s the justice in that?” and playfully addressed any potential extraterrestrials, saying, “If you’re listening, I’m talking to you.”

Movies

Director Boots Riley’s new film, starring Keke Palmer and Demi Moore, is a funny and strange movie with a strong political message.

For a moment, things got a little unclear when Fennessey asked Spielberg about AI. Spielberg wasn’t sure if she meant his film 2001: A Space Odyssey or artificial intelligence in general.

After clarifying that Fennessey was referring to a significant labor concern in Hollywood, Spielberg stated he hasn’t used artificial intelligence in his own movies. While he supports AI in many fields, he strongly believes it shouldn’t replace human creativity.

Spielberg briefly referenced the recent discussion sparked by Timothée Chalamet’s comments about how opera and ballet compare in popularity to movies, specifically in the context of enjoying live performances versus films.

He clarified that he doesn’t dislike watching movies at home – he even works with Netflix – but believes the true magic of cinema happens when people come together in a theater. He described the unique feeling of sharing an emotional experience with strangers in the dark, and leaving with a collective sense of feeling. He feels this powerful connection happens with movies, concerts, ballet, and opera alike.

The audience applauded. Someone then exclaimed, hoping the applause would continue indefinitely.

Spielberg observed that his most admired directors – like David Lean, Billy Wilder, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Christopher Nolan – consistently strive to create films that are distinct from their previous work. He considers himself part of this tradition of innovation.

Spielberg explained that he believes truly new and exciting stories can emerge if filmmakers avoid endlessly repeating sequels or sticking to the same established franchises. He added that this is why he measures his success by looking at his entire body of work, rather than any single movie.

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2026-03-14 02:01