20 Minutes Short Films - Short Films Matter (2024)

REVIEW

5/5

Into Temptation

A chilling drama that delves into the complexities of child sex abuse.

  • Drama, LGBTQ+
  • United States
  • 2021
  • 20 min

PUBLISHED ON June 17, 2023

REVIEW

4/5

Sushi

A heart-warming, albeit comedic exploration of friendship and reunification.

  • Comedy, Drama
  • United States
  • 2022
  • 20 min

PUBLISHED ON June 12, 2023

REVIEW

5/5

Memorial Picture House

An intriguing tale of regret, grief and the afterlife.

  • Drama
  • United Kingdom
  • 2022
  • 20 min

PUBLISHED ON May 18, 2023

REVIEW

5/5

Two’s A Crowd

A witty British comedy centred around two mismatched actors.

  • Comedy
  • United Kingdom
  • 2023
  • 21 min

PUBLISHED ON May 14, 2023

REVIEW

4/5

Adulting

A comedic tale of friendship and dating.

  • Comedy, Drama
  • United States
  • 2020
  • 20 min

PUBLISHED ON May 10, 2023

REVIEW

5/5

Bugtussle

A comedic drama that shines a light on the offshoot of poverty.

  • Comedy, Drama
  • United States
  • 2022
  • 21 min

PUBLISHED ON May 8, 2023

REVIEW

3/5

Dead Greed

A low-budget horror that examines greed, betrayal and vengeance.

  • Horror, Thriller
  • United States
  • 2021
  • 21 min

PUBLISHED ON April 9, 2023

REVIEW

2/5

Cardigan

A tale of bisexuality, identity and monogamy.

  • LGBTQ+, Romance
  • Canada
  • 2021
  • 20 min

PUBLISHED ON April 8, 2023

REVIEW

5/5

Later Gator

A poignant drama that explores a shattered friendship.

  • Comedy, Drama
  • United States
  • 2022
  • 20 min

PUBLISHED ON April 7, 2023

REVIEW

5/5

Camila

A riveting whodunit that unravels unrighteous family drama.

  • Drama, Thriller
  • United States
  • 2017
  • 21 min

PUBLISHED ON January 19, 2023

REVIEW

4/5

The Roots of You

A psychological thriller with a poignant underbelly.

  • Drama, Thriller
  • United Kingdom
  • 2022
  • 20 min

PUBLISHED ON January 17, 2023

REVIEW

20 Minutes Short Films - Short Films Matter (1)

5/5

Wendy & Vee

An eccentric comedy about abuse, female empowerment and revenge.

PUBLISHED ON January 16, 2023

REVIEW

3/5

Hurt

A mental health themed coming-of-age drama from about melancholic youth.

  • Drama, LGBTQ+
  • United States
  • 2022
  • 20 min

PUBLISHED ON January 9, 2023

REVIEW

4/5

Triggered, a Cinematic Superhero Fan Film

A riveting superhero-themed fan film.

  • Fantasy, Sci-Fi
  • United States
  • 2022
  • 21 min

PUBLISHED ON December 28, 2022

REVIEW

5/5

Out of the Black

A documentary that explores the tragedy and resilience of a community ravaged by a bush fire.

  • Documentary
  • Australia
  • 2022
  • 20 min

PUBLISHED ON November 23, 2022

REVIEW

3/5

Circles

An awareness drama that explores HIV stigma.

  • Drama
  • United States
  • 2017
  • 20 min

PUBLISHED ON November 19, 2022

REVIEW

2/5

Araniella

A genre-bending short film.

  • Horror, Sci-Fi
  • United States
  • 2019
  • 20 min

PUBLISHED ON November 14, 2022

REVIEW

1/5

Gulliver’s Bad Day

A horror/mystery that delves into loyalty and betrayal.

  • Comedy, Horror, Mystery
  • United States
  • 2022
  • 21 min

PUBLISHED ON September 29, 2022

REVIEW

4/5

Dean’s Well

A mystery thriller about an awry car journey.

  • Drama, Thriller
  • United States
  • 2016
  • 20 min

PUBLISHED ON July 24, 2022

REVIEW

4/5

Double Zero

A tense thriller that explores revenge and betrayal.

  • Drama, Thriller
  • United States
  • 2021
  • 20 min

PUBLISHED ON July 14, 2022

REVIEW

4/5

Our Fathers

A gripping thriller that delves into London teenage knife-crime.

  • Drama, Thriller
  • United Kingdom
  • 2022
  • 21 min

PUBLISHED ON July 14, 2022

REVIEW

4/5

Coming Home

A poignant drama about a grief-stricken father.

  • Drama
  • United States
  • 2020
  • 20 min

PUBLISHED ON July 6, 2022

REVIEW

20 Minutes Short Films - Short Films Matter (2)

5/5

Tell Tale Signs

A coming-of-age romance drama that explores mental health and abuse.

  • Drama, Romance
  • United Kingdom
  • 2016
  • 20 min

PUBLISHED ON May 29, 2022

REVIEW

20 Minutes Short Films - Short Films Matter (3)

5/5

The Four Walls of Charlotte Moreland

A poignant drama that explores post-abuse recovery.

  • Drama
  • United States
  • 2021
  • 21 min

PUBLISHED ON May 29, 2022

REVIEW

20 Minutes Short Films - Short Films Matter (4)

5/5

Writer’s Block

A comical thriller about a screenwriter’s lack of inspiration.

  • Comedy, Thriller
  • United States
  • 2020
  • 20 min

PUBLISHED ON May 10, 2022

REVIEW

4/5

Tazara

A musical fantasy that explores a forbidden love affair.

  • Fantasy, Music, Romance
  • Zambia
  • 2021
  • 20 min

PUBLISHED ON May 10, 2022

REVIEW

5/5

Pictures Only

Female empowerment and race intertwine in this stylish short set in the 50s.

  • Drama
  • United States
  • 2021
  • 21 min

PUBLISHED ON April 3, 2022

REVIEW

5/5

Lifeblood

A love letter to Bourke. An artistic masterpiece.

  • Animation
  • Australia
  • 2021
  • 20 min

PUBLISHED ON January 10, 2022

REVIEW

20 Minutes Short Films - Short Films Matter (5)

5/5

The Salesman

An unmissable dark comedy with a retro vibe.

  • Comedy, Drama
  • United States
  • 2018
  • 20 min

PUBLISHED ON December 10, 2021

REVIEW

Socks

4/5

A harrowing journey from darkness to light, confronting the horrors of sex trafficking.

Published on May 20, 2024

  • Drama, Experimental
  • United States
  • 2023
  • 32 min

REVIEW

Kewang: Nature’s Ancient Guardians

5/5

Discover the inspiring story of a community’s fight for tradition and survival in the face of climate upheaval.

Published on May 19, 2024

  • Documentary
  • Indonesia
  • 2024
  • 20 min

REVIEW

The Forest Women

4/5

A journey through maternal bonds and loss that will leave you contemplative.

Published on May 19, 2024

  • Drama, Thriller
  • United States
  • 2021
  • 7 min

REVIEW

20 Minutes Short Films - Short Films Matter (6)

Soop

5/5

A hilarious twist on the classic whodunit that defies all expectations.

Published on May 19, 2024

  • Comedy, Horror
  • Australia
  • 2016
  • 11 min

REVIEW

What Life Is

5/5

A man’s journey through maternal abuse.

Published on May 19, 2024

  • Drama, Thriller
  • United States
  • 2024
  • 12 min

REVIEW

20 Minutes Short Films - Short Films Matter (7)

Plight

5/5

A riveting tale of survival with sensational cinematics.

Published on May 18, 2024

  • Drama, Experimental
  • United States
  • 2024
  • 6 min

REVIEW

Ashes

4/5

An exploration of guilt and grief in a post-apocalyptic world.

Published on May 18, 2024

  • Sci-Fi, Thriller
  • United States
  • 2024
  • 9 min

REVIEW

Experiences

3/5

An ode to street encounters with strangers.

Published on May 18, 2024

  • Documentary
  • United States
  • 2023
  • 4 min

REVIEW

20 Minutes Short Films - Short Films Matter (8)

Boxed

5/5

A wildly unsettling tale of madness and consumerism. A captivating dark comedy.

Published on May 17, 2024

  • Comedy, Drama
  • United States
  • 2023
  • 15 min

REVIEW

Leandro’s Batteries

3/5

The unfiltered lens of a contemptuous street-vendor, revealing layers of resilience and defiance.

Published on May 16, 2024

  • Documentary
  • Brazil
  • 2017
  • 3 min

REVIEW

Into Temptation

5/5

A chilling drama that delves into the complexities of child sex abuse.

Published on June 17, 2023

  • Drama, LGBTQ+
  • United States
  • 2021
  • 20 min

REVIEW

Sushi

4/5

A heart-warming, albeit comedic exploration of friendship and reunification.

Published on June 12, 2023

  • Comedy, Drama
  • United States
  • 2022
  • 20 min

REVIEW

Memorial Picture House

5/5

An intriguing tale of regret, grief and the afterlife.

Published on May 18, 2023

  • Drama
  • United Kingdom
  • 2022
  • 20 min

REVIEW

Two’s A Crowd

5/5

A witty British comedy centred around two mismatched actors.

Published on May 14, 2023

  • Comedy
  • United Kingdom
  • 2023
  • 21 min

REVIEW

Adulting

4/5

A comedic tale of friendship and dating.

Published on May 10, 2023

  • Comedy, Drama
  • United States
  • 2020
  • 20 min

REVIEW

Bugtussle

5/5

A comedic drama that shines a light on the offshoot of poverty.

Published on May 8, 2023

  • Comedy, Drama
  • United States
  • 2022
  • 21 min

REVIEW

Dead Greed

3/5

A low-budget horror that examines greed, betrayal and vengeance.

Published on April 9, 2023

  • Horror, Thriller
  • United States
  • 2021
  • 21 min

REVIEW

Cardigan

2/5

A tale of bisexuality, identity and monogamy.

Published on April 8, 2023

  • LGBTQ+, Romance
  • Canada
  • 2021
  • 20 min

REVIEW

Later Gator

5/5

A poignant drama that explores a shattered friendship.

Published on April 7, 2023

  • Comedy, Drama
  • United States
  • 2022
  • 20 min

REVIEW

Camila

5/5

A riveting whodunit that unravels unrighteous family drama.

Published on January 19, 2023

  • Drama, Thriller
  • United States
  • 2017
  • 21 min

REVIEW

The Roots of You

4/5

A psychological thriller with a poignant underbelly.

Published on January 17, 2023

  • Drama, Thriller
  • United Kingdom
  • 2022
  • 20 min

REVIEW

20 Minutes Short Films - Short Films Matter (9)

Wendy & Vee

5/5

An eccentric comedy about abuse, female empowerment and revenge.

Published on January 16, 2023

  • Comedy, Horror
  • Australia
  • 2022
  • 20 min

REVIEW

Hurt

3/5

A mental health themed coming-of-age drama from about melancholic youth.

Published on January 9, 2023

  • Drama, LGBTQ+
  • United States
  • 2022
  • 20 min

REVIEW

Triggered, a Cinematic Superhero Fan Film

4/5

A riveting superhero-themed fan film.

Published on December 28, 2022

  • Fantasy, Sci-Fi
  • United States
  • 2022
  • 21 min

REVIEW

Out of the Black

5/5

A documentary that explores the tragedy and resilience of a community ravaged by a bush fire.

Published on November 23, 2022

  • Documentary
  • Australia
  • 2022
  • 20 min

REVIEW

Circles

3/5

An awareness drama that explores HIV stigma.

Published on November 19, 2022

  • Drama
  • United States
  • 2017
  • 20 min

REVIEW

Araniella

2/5

A genre-bending short film.

Published on November 14, 2022

  • Horror, Sci-Fi
  • United States
  • 2019
  • 20 min

REVIEW

The Other Woman

4/5

A stirring drama that delves into a woman’s promiscuity and her twilight years.

Published on October 15, 2022

  • Drama, Romance
  • United Kingdom
  • 2022
  • 21 min

REVIEW

Gulliver’s Bad Day

1/5

A horror/mystery that delves into loyalty and betrayal.

Published on September 29, 2022

  • Comedy, Horror, Mystery
  • United States
  • 2022
  • 21 min

REVIEW

Dean’s Well

4/5

A mystery thriller about an awry car journey.

Published on July 24, 2022

  • Drama, Thriller
  • United States
  • 2016
  • 20 min

REVIEW

Double Zero

4/5

A tense thriller that explores revenge and betrayal.

Published on July 14, 2022

  • Drama, Thriller
  • United States
  • 2021
  • 20 min

REVIEW

Our Fathers

4/5

A gripping thriller that delves into London teenage knife-crime.

Published on July 14, 2022

  • Drama, Thriller
  • United Kingdom
  • 2022
  • 21 min

REVIEW

Coming Home

4/5

A poignant drama about a grief-stricken father.

Published on July 6, 2022

  • Drama
  • United States
  • 2020
  • 20 min

REVIEW

20 Minutes Short Films - Short Films Matter (10)

Tell Tale Signs

5/5

A coming-of-age romance drama that explores mental health and abuse.

Published on May 29, 2022

  • Drama, Romance
  • United Kingdom
  • 2016
  • 20 min

REVIEW

20 Minutes Short Films - Short Films Matter (11)

The Four Walls of Charlotte Moreland

5/5

A poignant drama that explores post-abuse recovery.

Published on May 29, 2022

  • Drama
  • United States
  • 2021
  • 21 min

REVIEW

20 Minutes Short Films - Short Films Matter (12)

Writer’s Block

5/5

A comical thriller about a screenwriter’s lack of inspiration.

Published on May 10, 2022

  • Comedy, Thriller
  • United States
  • 2020
  • 20 min

REVIEW

Tazara

4/5

A musical fantasy that explores a forbidden love affair.

Published on May 10, 2022

  • Fantasy, Music, Romance
  • Zambia
  • 2021
  • 20 min

REVIEW

Pictures Only

5/5

Female empowerment and race intertwine in this stylish short set in the 50s.

Published on April 3, 2022

  • Drama
  • United States
  • 2021
  • 21 min

REVIEW

Lifeblood

5/5

A love letter to Bourke. An artistic masterpiece.

Published on January 10, 2022

  • Animation
  • Australia
  • 2021
  • 20 min

REVIEW

20 Minutes Short Films - Short Films Matter (13)

The Salesman

5/5

An unmissable dark comedy with a retro vibe.

Published on December 10, 2021

  • Comedy, Drama
  • United States
  • 2018
  • 20 min

BLOG

Short Films at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival

BLOG

How Long Should a Short Film Be?

20 Minutes Short Films - Short Films Matter (2024)

FAQs

Is 20 minutes too long for a short film? ›

As a general guideline, a short will only be accepted into the short category if it is less than 30 minutes.

What is the best duration for a short film? ›

The simple answer to this question is that your short movie should be 40 minutes or less, because this length will assure you that your movie is in the short film category, rather than the feature film category, but there is a nuance to this answer that must be explored in greater depth because it really depends on ...

How short do short films have to be? ›

A. A short film is defined as an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all credits. An award shall be given for the best achievement in each of two categories.

Can a short film be 15 minutes? ›

Short films are motion pictures that aren't long enough in running time to be considered a feature film. They are generally 40 minutes or less and can even be 30 seconds long! To qualify as a short film at film festivals, the running time should be less than 15 minutes.

What is the 20 minute rule for movies? ›

“It basically says that a movie that hasn't hooked me in the first 20 minutes probably isn't going to. I tend to apply it most forcefully when I'm watching films at festivals or when I'm sorting through DVD (or online) screeners at home. If nothing's happening after 20 minutes, sorry, I'm out.”

How many pages is a 20 minute short film? ›

How long is a short film script? In screenwriting, one page of your script is usually equivalent to one minute of screentime. So if you're looking to make an average, 20-minute long short film, you'll want your short film script to be about 20 pages long.

Can a short film be 30 minutes? ›

Another golden rule to bear in mind is that every festival is different and they all have very different perceptions of the duration of a short film. Some perceive short films to run between 5-60 minutes, some up to 40, some up to 45, some up to 30 and some up to our favourite number – 15.

How many pages should a 15 minute short film be? ›

Don't waste time on unnecessary exchanges, backstory, or moments that don't move the plot forward. A good rule of thumb is about one page of script per minute on screen.

Is 30 minutes or less a good film? ›

It's sporadically funny and it benefits from a talented cast, but 30 Minutes or Less suffers from a disjointed narrative, and too often mistakes crude gags for true lowbrow humor.

How many pages is a 10 minute short film? ›

A film faithfully produced from a screenplay that is 10–15 pages in correct format will be approximately 10–15 minutes long. As a general guideline, you write a script at a particular length with the idea that, for example, a 100-page script will result in a 100-minute film.

Can short films win Oscars? ›

The Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film is an award presented at the annual Academy Awards ceremony. The award has existed, under numerous names, since 1957.

What is the average budget for a short film? ›

So the average budget figure for a short film was $14,000. To be precise, 14,007 dollars and 52 cents. Possibly, this rate could be much lower, assuming that a blank line in the ” Film Budget” field means a zero. If so, the average budget would be estimated at no less than $8,300.

What is a 20 minute film called? ›

A short film is a film with a low running time. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of not more than 40 minutes including all credits".

How much does it cost to make a 20 minute short film? ›

An average short costs between $700 to $1,500 per minute, according to several online estimates. You have to hire a cast and crew, rent equipment and secure locations, then pay for postproduction, promotion and distribution.

How many scenes in a 15 minute short film? ›

Scenes usually range between one and three minutes (one to three pages in your screenplay). In a short movie, you can get away with including some short scenes that last a little under a minute. This means that in a 15-minute film, you may end up with only about 15 scenes.

How long should it take to film a short film? ›

While a short film can be shot in a few days with an inexperienced crew, a full feature film often requires over 20 days with a skilled team.

How many scenes in a 20 minute short? ›

The number of scenes can vary depending on the story and the filmmaker's artistic vision. A typical short film might have anywhere from 3 to 10 scenes, but some shorts may have even fewer or more scenes.

Can a short film be 25 minutes? ›

Some perceive short films to run between 5-60 minutes, some up to 40, some up to 45, some up to 30 and some up to our favourite number – 15.

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