Midnight Short Competition presented by Vimeo
Midnight Short Program at Alamo Lamar 9
Indulge your cravings for horror, gore, and dark comedy.
Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.
Steve is kicked out by his parents, who do not accept his homosexuality. Caroline, on the other hand, is struggling to mourn her motherhood as she accompanies Youri on tour. Fate intersects, soon to be united, life and death.
Claudia Chow lives for the rush—reckless rides, wild nights, and adrenaline-fueled chaos. But her mind is haunted by visions of a seductive Serpent Woman, whispering, “Your body is my body.” When a high-speed crash sends Claudia spiraling between reality and illusion, her nights grow darker and more unhinged. The Serpent Woman’s voice becomes impossible to ignore, leading Claudia on a journey of desire, destruction, and transformation.
A man is awoken late at night by an unexpected visitor who won't seem to leave him alone.
Manny, a single father, struggles to cope with the emptiness left behind after his daughter moves away for her studies. However, his body seems to react by undergoing a strange transformation, swelling into what appears to be a fully pregnant belly…After making futile efforts to obtain help, he realises he has to face what’s inside him alone.
On a summer night in Brooklyn, two Natives from different tribes continue their first date at one of their apartments. They bond over cultural stories and traditions, but as the night unfolds, subtle red flags begin to emerge. Vulnerability gives way to suspicion as doubts about their Indigenous identities start to surface. As questions reach a breaking point, the evening spirals into a harrowing confrontation, culminating in a deadly and shocking revelation.
In the small town of Kennedy, best friends Hannah and Julie spend their summer nights at the last video store, Video Barn, watching cult horror films. Jules finds a mysterious VHS tape labeled “Just press play!” and, days later, vanishes. Overcome with guilt, Hannah watches the tape and is horrified to see Jules trapped inside the TV, caught in a nightmarish loop of twisted nostalgia. Now, Hannah must uncover the truth and face the sinister force within the tape. "Video Barn" pays homage to 80s surrealist films, blending dark humor, friendship, and the pull of the unknown. Will Hannah save Jules or share her fate?
After putting her daughter to bed, Aura finds that an elderly woman has broken into her house. The intruder, who acts strangely familiar with Aura, begins a ritual, summoning something dark into the living room. Aura tries to keep her daughter safe and grasp just what the hell is going on.