What is the longest a short film should be?

How Long Should a Short Film Be?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but as a general rule, a short film should ideally be under forty minutes. That’s the benchmark most film festivals and broadcasters use to define what qualifies as “short.” Beyond that, it might start falling into the category of a feature or mid-length film, depending on the context.

That said, the perfect runtime often depends on the story being told—and where it’s headed. For example, major film festivals like Sundance or Cannes usually prefer short films to be under 15 to 20 minutes, giving filmmakers just enough time to make an impact without overstaying their welcome. Online platforms like Vimeo or YouTube might be more flexible, but attention spans are shorter, so brevity can be a strength.

Short films can be live action, animated, experimental, or documentary—the format matters less than the storytelling. Some of the most memorable shorts in history have been under five minutes, proving that powerful narratives don’t need much time to resonate. Think of them as cinematic poems: concise, evocative, and intentional.

Ultimately, the best length is the one that serves the story. A rushed 10-minute film can feel longer than a well-paced 25-minute one. Filmmakers should focus less on fitting a strict timeline and more on crafting a complete, compelling experience—whether that takes two minutes or thirty-eight.

So while forty minutes is a safe upper limit, the true measure of a short film isn’t its duration—it’s its ability to leave a lasting impression, no matter how brief.