What makes short film special?

Film was born short, but it wasn’t until the early twentieth century that longer running times necessitated the distinction.  Shorts remained a part of the typical cinematic program, usually preceding the feature.  In fact, many cinematic innovators, including Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Laurel and Hardy, were as well known for their shorts as they were for their features.  Comedies and animations reigned in popularity, but newsreels, travelogues, and other human interest stories were presented.  Most major production studios had particular units assigned just to the development and production of shorts, and some production studios, such as Keystone, produced shorts exclusively.

The extension of feature film length, the rise of the double feature, and the advent of television almost killed the short film.  But the short form became a calling card for a new breed of directors in the 1970s, and slowly reemerged as a legitimate art form in and of itself. 

Defined only by running time, the short film can encompass any and every genre, as well as a myriad of technical and aesthetic values.  The shorter duration lends itself towards a smaller budget, which in turn begets less financial risk.  Such economic independence has a propensity towards artistic freedom. 

This has made short film the platform for innovation in cinema.  You would be hard pressed to find a technical or aesthetic innovation that was not first tried in the short form.  Digitization of cinema, from digital cameras to software, digital formats and distribution, would not have been possible without the short film.  In turn, it has heralded a new age for the short.  The digital revolution has leveled the playing field for budding filmmakers and provided a host of new venues, from inclusion on DVDS to YouTube, from digital cinematheques to the iPhone, on which to view them.  

This is an essential reason why each year, we celebrate the short form with The Light Factory Filmmakers' Showcase.  Contact me to learn more.

-- Linnea Beyer, Director of Film