What Is the Longest a Short Film Should Be? The Surprising Truth
The Official Definition of a Short Film
Let’s start with the basic question: what even counts as a “short film”? According to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (yep, the Oscars people), a short film is anything that runs 40 minutes or less, including credits.
So technically, 40 minutes is the absolute longest a short film should be… but should you go that far? That’s where it gets a little messy (and kind of interesting).
Industry Expectations: Festivals, Platforms, and Real Life
Film festivals prefer shorter shorts
Sure, the Academy says 40 minutes is fine, but most film festivals silently cringe when they see a short over 20–25 minutes. Why? Simple math. Programming time is limited. They’d rather screen two 10-minute films than one 30-minute one.
Some festivals even have internal cutoffs:
Sundance tends to favor films under 15 minutes.
Tribeca caps theirs at 40, but most selections fall in the 5–20 min range.
I once had a 24-minute short rejected with feedback that literally said: “This could’ve been great at 12 min.” Ouch, but fair.
Online platforms? Different vibe
YouTube, Vimeo, and other streaming spots are a bit more forgiving. You can go 30, 35, even 39 minutes and people will still click — if your story is compelling and you hook them in the first 60 seconds.
But be honest: when you see “short film – 38 minutes” on YouTube, don't you hesitate a little? Most people do. We're all attention-deficit these days.
Story First: How Long Should Your Short Film Be?
The story dictates the length — not the other way around
This might sound cliché but seriously: don’t write to hit a number. Let the story breathe, but also trim the fat. If your short takes 3 minutes to get to the point, that’s already a red flag.
The sweet spot? Most professionals would say:
5 to 15 minutes for festival-ready shorts
15 to 25 minutes if your narrative needs more time and pacing
25 to 40 minutes if you're doing something experimental, slow-burn, or character-driven… but be prepared to defend it
A quick anecdote...
I once helped edit a 32-minute short that, no joke, had a 6-minute opening scene of someone brushing their teeth. Artsy? Maybe. Necessary? Absolutely not. We cut it to 17 minutes, and suddenly the film had momentum. It actually got into two regional festivals after that.
Pros and Cons of Making a Longer Short Film
Pros
More room for character depth
Can feel more like a “real” movie (mini-feature vibes)
Better fit for online series pilots or portfolio work
Cons
Harder to program in festivals
Risk of pacing issues or audience drop-off
Higher production costs and longer shoot days
Plus, if your short runs 35+ minutes… at some point, you might want to just make a low-budget feature instead. It’ll give you more credibility and market flexibility.
Final Thoughts: Keep It Tight, But Don’t Suffocate It
So, what is the longest a short film should be? Technically: 40 minutes.
But practically? Somewhere between 10 and 20 minutes is your golden range — especially if you’re looking to impress festivals, agents, or your cousin who claims they “don’t get short films.”
End of the day, make every minute count. If your short hits 25 minutes and every second feels necessary? Go for it. If you’re padding scenes just to stretch the runtime… maybe it’s time to rethink.
Short doesn’t mean small. It means sharp.
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