Short films are a great way to make money, network, or get your name out there. But if you don’t have the proper foundation for your short film, then it won’t be successful. This guide will help you understand what goes into making a short film so that it can stand out from all of the other entries at festivals and competitions.
The first question to answer is, who is going to watch your short film?
Let’s start with the audience. Three main demographics come together when you dream of creating a short film: filmmakers, festival directors and attendees. Film festivals have many different types of people entering them and watching them. Most likely, you will be in one of these groups:
A filmmaker – if you make films for fun or work on them as a job, this section applies to you!
Festival Director – if you run an international film festival like Sundance or Telluride, this section applies to you! It gives an overview of who is coming into your festival, along with tips on how they can improve their viewing experience by keeping things interesting throughout the day (and night).
Attendees – if someone has invited themself onto jury duty at Cannes, this section applies directly because this person probably doesn’t know what they’re doing!
What can you afford?
Before you get started, ask yourself what you can afford. The cost of making a short film varies wildly depending on your resources and how ambitious you are with your vision.
In terms of festival fees: Most festivals charge between $20-$50 per submission fee (though some do go up as high as $100). But if your goal is to enter one or two festivals at most—and not win any awards—then this will not break the bank too much either!
Again though, this depends on how many entries each festival receives each year, so it’s best if, before submitting anything anywhere, make sure there aren’t any hidden costs involved; otherwise, those could add up quickly!
What are some popular genres?
The most popular categories for short films are comedy, drama and horror, but there are many others. Animation is a great way to tell a story in an engaging new way. Sci-fi and thriller are also popular categories for shorts. Westerns are less common but still have a cult following among film fans who appreciate their unique story structure and setting.
How long should the short be?
There is no exact formula for determining the length of your short film. However, many festivals have a limit on the maximum length of their films. Some festivals accept shorts under 15 minutes, while others accept films as long as 25 or 30 minutes.
There are many great tools to help you with production and post-production, but always keep in mind that the most important aspect of creating a short film is passion. If you have a story you want to tell, then go for it! You don’t need any fancy equipment or lots of money. Just remember that practice makes perfect and never give up on your dream!