A short film is a film with a runtime significantly shorter than a feature. The definition varies, but the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as under 40 minutes. Most short films are between 5 and 20 minutes. They are made by students, independent filmmakers, and established directors. They are a training ground, a calling card, and an art form in their own right.

Short films have several advantages. They are cheaper to make. They require less time and fewer resources. They allow a filmmaker to experiment with style and technique. They can be made on a smartphone or with a full crew. They can be screened at festivals, online, or in classrooms. They can launch a career. Many famous directors started with short films. Wes Anderson, Christopher Nolan, and Damien Chazelle all made shorts before their features.

Short films have challenges. They must tell a complete story in a limited time. Every second counts. There is no room for subplots or digressions. The filmmaker must be efficient. The short film is a discipline. It teaches economy and precision. It is also a form of expression. A short film can be a poem, a joke, a nightmare, or a revelation. It can be experimental or conventional. The short film is not a lesser form. It is a different form. It is cinema in miniature.