Ahead of its SXSW 2025 showing we have Horror Barn, a stellar horror short film that is certain to grab attention ahead of the upcoming March event.
Showcasing at the Rollins Theatre at The Long Center on March 9th before making its way to the Alamo Lamar 9 on March 13th Video Barn is the epitome of 80s horror homages with two outcasts working at a small town local video store who come across a strange videotape.
Grace Van Dien and Reina Hardesty star in the film but mere seconds into the movie I’m here just applauding the lighting and cinematography of this short as it looks phenomenal.

Video Barn captures that 80s essence but throws a lovely sheen across it with a vibrancy and a beautifully lit set.
The contrasting colours of the video store lends an eerie ambience to proceedings as the girls are watching Texas Chainsaw Massacre in the shop before one leaves to spend time with her boyfriend, fearing losing her friend to this new boyfriend there’s no time to think about it as she’s played a videotape that vanishes her off the face of the earth.
Whilst the purpose of the videotape and the end consequences of the girls remains unclear by the time the credits roll I’d be intrigued to find out more about why it happens and what is causing this tape to randomly abduct its viewers without even the courtesy of a phone call warning them that they had ‘7 days’ remaining of their lives.

Directed by Argentine director Bianca Poletti Video Barn is done with a certain class and has this creepy charm to it and that’s a lot to cram in during a very short runtime of 12 minutes (plus an additional few minutes for the credits).
A cracking little short that certainly leaves itself open to interpretation but it’s shot so wonderfully that SXSW will be lucky to have it! 
Despite being made in 2012, is it just me or do these stills kindly provided to us by the PR team all have that ‘No Vacancy’ film ambience to them? The colour pallette is very reminiscent of that film, or maybe it’s just the neon lights and the copious amount of caffeine I’ve had today, who knows! 

Bianca has directed numerous music videos, commercials, and short films. Her work has been featured in numerous publications including Directors Library, Nowness, METAL magazine, Shots Creative, Little Black Book, The cover of Ad Age, Girl Gaze, Marie Claire and many more.
Video Barn will screen at SXSW 2025 in the Midnight Short Program — premiering on March 9 at 9:45pm at Rollins Theatre at The Long Center and on March 13 at 10:15pm at Alamo Lamar 9

Our Rating

Summary
A beautiful looking short that drags you in with an endearing 80s charm and then leaves you wanting more.