The Python Hunt

The Python Hunt (2026)



5.5 2026 91 min United States of America

Director: Xander Robin

Cast: Toby Benoit, Anne Stratton Hilts, Jimbo McCartney, Shannon McCartney, Richard Perenyi

Documentary
Each year, Florida’s government opens a high-stakes competition to the public: a ten-night mission to hunt down invasive pythons in the Everglades. A diverse cast of hunters battles treacherous swamps, nighttime wildlife, and their own personal ambitions in this gritty, real-life showdown.

More About This Film

The Python Hunt is a documentary following a group of hunters competing in Florida's annual invasive python removal contest. Over ten nights in the Everglades, participants search for Burmese pythons while researchers and conservationists explain the ecological problems caused by the invasive species.

Xander Robin takes a close observational approach to the competition, balancing the unusual spectacle of the hunt with questions about conservation, wildlife management and the people drawn to the event. The Everglades themselves become a major character in the documentary.

  • Directed and produced by Xander Robin.
  • Produced with Artists Equity.
  • The film premiered at SXSW in March 2025 before its 2026 theatrical release.
  • Oscilloscope Laboratories handled U.S. distribution.
  • Composer Nick León created the score.

Where to Watch

The Python Hunt entered U.S. theatrical and digital distribution in 2026, with availability varying by storefront.