… By Rachel Chadwick

“In trying to define short films, we automatically face the

dilemma that apart from its running time, there are no

precise criteria or unequivocal characteristics that apply to

all short films”

… This lack of convention means that short

films are often approached in a rather

unconventional way and explore issues and

themes that you wouldn’t necessarily see in

a full length feature film.

The cost of making a short film is often a lot

less expensive than making a full length

feature film, making it more popular among

amateur film makers and students. The small

budget often means that the best has to be

made of whatever equipment is available, and

obviously well known, expensive actors are out

of the question

The internet has been a hugely significant

factor in the popularity of short films. It

means that film makers can showcase their

work literally to the whole world – it is such

a simple, yet effective form of distribution.

Also, through websites such as Youtube and

Vimeo, anyone can make a short film and

upload it for the world to see, meaning that

more amateurs are producing short films

now than ever before.

Short Film networks help promote short

films and can be lifeline for film makers

wanting to get their work out there.

‘Future Shorts’ is one of the most

successful examples of this. They organise a

variety of exhibitions, and through their

website, they offer a solid platform for

anyone wanting to get recognised for their

film making. The Guardian even called

them „the true pioneers of petit cinema‟

Through this initial research into short film, I have

found out that there isn’t a lot of information out

there about it. I think this is because every piece

seems to be so unique, and there are after all no

set conventions. I like the fact that it seems to

offer the chance to be as creative as you like, and

explore either unusual themes or conventional

ones, but from your own unique view point. If I

had to sum up short film as a genre in one word, I

think it would definitely have to be:

UNCONVENTIONAL