SXSW 2026 Shorts Review: Buah, Cold Call, and Tongue Showcase Bold Global Voices

A trio of standout SXSW 2026 shorts—Buah, Cold Call, and Tongue—deliver genre storytelling from across the globe.

SXSW 2026 Shorts Review: Buah, Cold Call, and Tongue Deliver Global Genre Range

South by Southwest 2026 continues to prove that some of the most daring and emotionally grounded storytelling isn’t always found in feature-length films. The shorts program this year brought together a range of voices from across the globe, each tapping into genre in ways that feel personal, unsettling, and, at times, unexpectedly intimate. Three selections in particular—Buah, Cold Call, and Tongue—stood out for how they approached horror, sci-fi, and dark fantasy through distinctly cultural lenses.

Buah

Jen Nee Lim’s Buah (also known as Fruit) is the kind of short that doesn’t just present a premise—it sits with it. Set in a world where abortion is illegal, the film follows a pregnant woman navigating repeated, failed attempts to end her pregnancy before encountering a mysterious bus driver. What unfolds is less about plot mechanics and more about emotional weight. The lead performance carries a rawness that grounds the film, pulling the viewer into a space defined by desperation, fear, and quiet resilience. There’s an undercurrent of folklore woven throughout, echoing the shared history of women supporting one another through unspoken systems of survival. The film’s conclusion avoids the more expected route, opting instead for something that feels closer to liberation than shock value. It’s a deliberate choice that reinforces the film’s central tension between control and autonomy. Buah lands as one of the more affecting entries in the program, earning a strong 4 out of 5.

Cold Call

Elise Kibler’s Cold Call shifts gears entirely, leaning into a retro-futuristic aesthetic that feels pulled straight from late-night 1980s television. The setup is deceptively simple: a high-energy employee at a cold-calling office earns the opportunity to meet the boss. From there, the film pivots into something far more unsettling. Stylistically, it commits fully to its vision—grainy textures, synth-heavy atmosphere, and a tone that feels both nostalgic and off-kilter. It’s the kind of short that understands exactly what it wants to be and executes within that lane effectively. While it doesn’t stretch far beyond its concept, the commitment to tone and presentation makes it a solid entry, earning a 3.5 out of 5 from Horror Movies Uncut.

Tongue

Lim Da Seul’s Tongue brings the program back into horror territory with a concept that feels both grounded and surreal. Centered on a woman pushed to her limit by her husband’s incessant talking, the film takes a sharp turn when she removes his tongue—only for the aftermath to spiral into something far more complex. What begins as a darkly comedic premise evolves into a layered exploration of guilt, control, and the pressures tied to relationships and family expectations. The film leans into the strengths of Korean genre storytelling, blending psychological tension with supernatural elements in a way that feels both familiar and fresh. Its final turn reinforces why it stood out within the competition, delivering a conclusion that lingers beyond its runtime.

Together, these shorts highlight the range and ambition present in SXSW’s 2026 lineup. Whether grounded in social commentary, stylistic homage, or cultural horror, each film offers a distinct perspective that reinforces why short-form storytelling remains such a vital space for emerging and established voices alike. These are the kinds of films that don’t just fill a program—they define it.