If there’s one film festival lineup I always look forward to, it’s SXSW. Year after year, their short film selections bring together an exciting mix of high entertainment, deep emotion, and unexpected surprises. This year is no different, with a collection of films that push creative boundaries, tell compelling stories, and leave a lasting impact. From Animation and Documentary to Midnight and Narrative shorts – this year’s lineup is packed with exceptional and authentic storytelling. These films promise to captivate, surprise, and excite, with a few even delving into horror and gore for those who love a darker edge. We’re thrilled to report that there are plenty of standout gems across every category – some we’ve had our eye on for a while, while others are exciting new discoveries. If you’re attending SXSW, your watchlist is likely already filling up, but we can confidently say these are the shorts you won’t want to miss. If, like me, you won’t be there in person, don’t worry – many of these films will make their way to other festivals and eventually find a home online. So be sure to keep them on your radar!
Brief Somebodies – Andy Reid
We’ve seen numerous shorts explore the ‘film within a film’ concept, but Andy Reid’s Brief Somebodies masterfully blurs the line between art and reality. As we watch two actors rehearse a sexual assault scene, the film keeps the audience in a state of uncertainty – at times unsure of what they’re witnessing. This deliberate ambiguity pulls us deeper into the moment, making the complex emotions feel raw, authentic, and deeply impactful.
Detlev – Ferdinand Ehrhardt
There were parts of Detlev I initially found off-putting – the voiceover, the character design – but the film’s immersive, unique style completely pulled me in. Ferdinand Ehrhardt deserves credit for taking such a surreal story and infusing it with genuine emotion and relatability. For a film that feels so cold, there’s an unexpected warmth at its core.
Grandma’s Four Color Cards – Sally Tran
A filmmaker whose work we’ve been tracking since she was first featured on DN in 2020, watching Sally Tran’s Grandma’s Four Color Cards without any prior context, I found myself unsure whether I was experiencing a documentary or a scripted piece – its unconventional approach keeps you guessing – but it doesn’t matter, it’s such an interesting piece that your gripped whether it’s real or fictional (it’s the latter, in case you were wondering).
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Looking for a Donkey – Juan Vicente Manrique
Part mystery, part comedy, this tale of an infamous donkey takes audiences deep into a small town in the Venezuelan Andes, where the creature’s legendary status – and the reluctance of locals to even speak about it – begs to be unravelled. A uniquely crafted story told with inventive flair, Juan Vicente Manrique’s Looking for a Donkey is an unexpected delight.
Lurk – Josh Wallace Kerrigan & Mairin Hart
A great horror film should send shivers down your spine and linger in your nightmares. Josh Wallace Kerrigan & Mairin Hart’s eerie Midnight short Lurk does exactly that – while sneaking in some unexpected laughs. Packed with some of the most disturbing moments you’ll witness on screen in 2025, this is the kind of short that you just can’t stop thinking about. If a feature adaptation isn’t in development soon, I’d be very surprised.
Murewa – Ché Scott-Heron Newton
Equal parts skate video and heartfelt tribute to friendship, Murewa is an emotion-packed short that captures a childhood bond and the effort to reconnect. Seamlessly edited and featuring a surprisingly powerful voiceover, Ché Scott-Heron Newton’s film effortlessly pulls you into nostalgia, making it impossible not to reflect on your own adolescent friendships and wonder where those friends are now.
My Wonderful Life – Calleen Koh
Any parent knows the joy of a little peace and quiet – but in Calleen Koh’s hilarious short My Wonderful Life, one overwhelmed mom takes it to the extreme. With unexpected twists in both story and style, this film is sure to be a crowd favourite – not just at SXSW, but at festivals everywhere.
One Day This Kid – Alexander Farah
A poignant and tender portrait, One Day This Kid follows a young Afghan Canadian man caught between staying true to himself and fulfilling his family’s expectations. In just 17 minutes, it unfolds with such depth that by the emotional climax, it feels like you’ve spent a lifetime alongside its protagonist. With this beautifully crafted work, Alexander Farah – also a talented editor – proves he’s a filmmaker with a very bright future ahead.
Stomach Bug – Matty Crawford
With an instantly striking visual – a man with a grotesquely swollen belly – and an emotional gut punch that lingers, Stomach Bug – which we spoke to the NFTS grad filmmaker about at length as part of DN’s BAFTA interview series – starts as a psychological drama before twisting into full-blown body horror. In just 15-minutes, Matty Crawford crafts a bizarre yet deeply relatable story, especially for empty nesters, leaving audiences both nauseous and heartbroken in its wake.
The Beguiling – Ishkwaazhe Shane McSauby
Ishkwaazhe Shane McSauby’s short The Beguiling is a double hitter – a killer standalone short with serious development potential. In just 15 minutes, it pulls you into its unsettling universe and holds you captive with its unwavering tension. By the time it ends, you might have more questions than answers, but you won’t be able to stop thinking about its central character and what happens to them (or it?) next.
The Goldfish Club – Max Henderson
I can’t recall ever watching a documentary about an event I attended, and I’m not sure if that influenced my reaction to Max Henderson’s The Goldfish Club, but the film deeply moved me. While its hook is the incredible story of a wingwalker who survived a devastating crash and returned to the skies a year later, the true impact of The Goldfish Club lies in its portrayal of the profound bond between the walkers and their pilot. Funny, touching, and life-affirming, this 23-minute film is impossible to watch without being moved.
The Singers – Sam A. Davis
Set in a dive bar with a particularly downbeat vibe, Sam A. Davis – whose story of newfound independence You Know Where To Find Me charmed the pants off us a couple years back – delivers an unexpected dose of joy with his latest short as a group of patrons launch into an impromptu vocal showdown to crown the best singer. As the sing-off takes increasingly surprising and delightful turns, The Singers becomes the kind of film you wish could keep going forever.
TV or The Disturbance on Forest Hill Road – Frederic Siegel
An animator whose filmmaking career I’ve long followed, Frederic Siegel returns to festival circuit with TV or The Disturbance on Forest Hill Road, his latest and perhaps most ambitious short so far. Following two police officers investigating what seems like a routine incident, the film quickly spirals into a thrilling “vortex of fictional worlds.” A gripping watch, it also offers sharp commentary on society’s media consumption.
You can find more unmissable films, like the ones featured at the SXSW Film Festival, in our Best of Fest collections.
