What is a short film ?

According to The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science, a short film is "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all credits" this definition explains that the running time of a film usually determines the label of a film. However this now raises the question as to what actually makes a short film a short film? in order to answer this question we must consider the conventions of a short film:

-Narrative structure:
Many times a short film does not contain a complete plot like in a feature film, it is just an insight on the characters, a little part of their life and their story, almost like a snapshot of a certain event they may have gone through in their lives. Things happen quickly in a short film, therefore it is important to focus the entire film around one key scene, which usually revolves around conflict and some degree of resolution also known as the climax. The end is probably the most important part, it should be conclusive, even if it is an open ended narrative otherwise in many ways the movie would have no point.

-Themes and Genre:
Short films are very much conserved as well as limited with their themes than that of a feature length film due to the clear restrictions in length. A short film director will often decide to create a short film for a more specific issue or theme, in order to tackle or speak out against a certain issue within our society. Despite the time limits there is no genre that is impossible to tackle when approached in the right way. The genre of a short film doesn't usually differ from traditional genres found in feature length films. However the only time that they may differ would be by creating a short film for experimental purposes.  

-Sound, editing, cinematography, mise en scene:
The small budget regarding short films has a huge impact on the production value of short films therefore in terms on the production value they are usually kept simple and practical, in order to avoid over-budgeting the short film.

-Titles:

Titles are very basic and kept to a compete minimal they are usually introduced at the start of the short film, as well as the end of a short film.

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