The world premiere of DreamWorks' comedy I Love You, Man starring Jason Segel and Paul Rudd will open the 2009 South By SouthWest Film Festival on March 13.

Rudd plays a friendless real estate agent who embarks on a series of 'man dates' to find a best man for his upcoming nuptials. John Hamburg directed and DreamWorks plans to release the film on March 20.

'The film is the perfect representation of the kind of smart and unconventional humor that SXSW audiences flock to,' film conference and festival producer Janet Pierson said. 'We are happy to welcome back SXSW Alumni Paul Rudd and Jason Segel.'

The South by Southwest film conference and festival runs March 13-21 in Austin, Texas.