Short film facts for kids
A short film is a movie that isn't long enough to be called a feature film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the group that gives out the Oscars) says a short film is 40 minutes or less, including all the credits at the end.
But not everyone agrees on the exact length! Some film festivals, like Oberhausen in Germany, say a short film is 35 minutes. Others, like the Clermont-Ferrand in France, agree with the Academy at 40 minutes. Still others, like the San Francisco and Kraków festivals, consider films up to 60 minutes to be shorts. A regular feature film is usually 90 to 120 minutes long, but can be up to 180 minutes.
What Are Short Films Called?
Sometimes, short films are called "short subjects." A long time ago, before 1910, almost all movies made in the U.S. were short subjects.
Another term you might hear is "featurette." This was used for films that were longer than a short subject but still shorter than a full-length movie.
Many documentaries (films that show real-life events) are short films. Also, many training films, which teach you how to do something, are short.
Why Do Filmmakers Make Short Films?
Short films are usually made by independent filmmakers. This means they work on their own, not for a big studio. These films are often made with a very small budget or even no money at all!
Filmmakers often get money for shorts from special grants, non-profit organizations, sponsors, or even their own personal funds.
Short films are a great way for filmmakers to gain experience. They use them to show off their talent and prove what they can do. This helps them get funding for bigger projects in the future. They hope to attract investors, entertainment companies, or film studios to support their next movies.
Most film festivals show full-length feature films, but many also show short films. Sometimes, a short film might even be shown right before a feature film in a movie theater.
Images for kids
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Paulie, a short film released in 2012.
See also
In Spanish: Cortometraje para niños
