short film

This term describes a specific category of cinema defined by duration rather than genre. While the exact cutoff varies by organization, it generally contrasts with feature-length films. In professional contexts, such as the Academy Awards, the distinction is strictly enforced to categorize eligibility for different award tiers.

In a creative context, the term often implies a more condensed narrative structure or an experimental approach to storytelling. Because of their brevity, these works are frequently used as calling cards for emerging directors to showcase their technical skill and vision before transitioning to full-length productions.