What is an acceptable length for a film short?

[Amidei]

I need some guidence here. Cuz, well, to be honest, I don't know that much about that much.

We set out to make a 12 minute short. A year later, we have a second rough cut that is about 18 minutes long. It is mostly connective tissue, muscle and bone, very little fat, so there is not a lot to obviously cut.

So, my question is, is there an average length? Is there a standard length? Is there a cutoff length to, say, enter films into short festivals? Is there a website that I can go to that will instruct me on this?

Any and all help will be appreciated.

 

[dash22]

I find film festivals vary in what they consider shorts. Most I've encountered will consider anything under 20 minutes as a short. Short Film Festivals are more specific, of course, and some accept them in under 10 and 10-20 min. categories. There won't be many festivals out there that will refuse to take your movie based on its length (obviously 1 minute film festivals and the like are out for you).

When screened next to other shorts, 18 minutes may seem long. If you can trim it, go for it. Show it to someone who knows nothing about the film and does not know any of the actors, the writer, or director. Ask them if it feels long at all. A few years ago I made a short, planning it to be 11 minutes. My rough cut turned out to be 12 minutes. I put it away for a few years (got an offer to direct a feature) and recently picked it back up. I was surprised at what I previously thought was tight, and now I'm looking to cull it down to 6-7 minutes. Like improv (and any other art form), always leave them wanting more.

Hope this helps.

 

[Amidei]

Thank you, that does.

And I am sure that some of it can be edited, but it is mostly fighting, different styles, weapons, and the rest is all chase. Very violent. I would hate to cut out the violence.

Thanks again

 

[John Bolger]

Depends heavly on the genre.

If it's comedy, it's best to keep them between 1-6 minutes. Anything longer, unless it's an impressive hook with legs, will loose almost every audience. Thes best would be 3-4 minutes. Enough to create characters, work laugh lines, and get a strong out. Think of it like creating an independant scene in a film that can stand in it's own. That way, if you/others like the short characters, you can expand from there to possible feature length.

If it's mystery, drama, or sci-fi keep it under 12. Most peoples attention span sucks for these, but you still need time to develop plot set ups. If it's action/comedy, 1-8. Even action needs action and movement with long drama pauses doing the set up. Keep it so damn simple, don't spend ANY money unless you have to, think of a creative way around it before you do, and good luck!

Bolger