46 saved#3,487 of 6,224

National Short Film Day

Celebrate National Short Film Day with a movie marathon - explore new genres, discover hidden gems, and laugh out loud at the best short films!

Monday

December 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

Have an update or spot an error?

YEARLY DATEDecember 28

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYPop Culture

SUBCATEGORYMovies & TV

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to celebrate National Short Film Day on December 28th! This special day is dedicated to honoring the art of short films and recognizing the filmmakers who make them. Short films were first created in 1895, when brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière invented a machine that could capture moving images onto film. These silent movies quickly gained popularity as people marveled at their ability to tell stories with visuals alone. Nowadays, short films are more popular than ever with millions watching them online every year!

TIMELINE

National Short Film Day Timeline

Inception of Short Films

Auguste and Louis Lumière invented a machine that captured moving images, creating the first short films.

Height of Silent Films

Short, silent movies became immensely popular, employing visual storytelling techniques unaccompanied by sound.

Inception of Academy Award for Shorts

The Academy introduced a category dedicated to short films, further recognizing their importance in the filmmaking industry.

Shorts Become Art Form

Film schools and independent filmmakers popularize short films as an artistic medium and incubator for filmmaking talent, unlike their previous function as simple novelties.

Rise of Online Distribution

YouTube is launched leading to an explosion of short film creation and consumption on the Internet, leading a new era for short films.

Launching of National Short Film Day

National Short Film Day is recognized and celebrated for the first time, paying homage to the achievements of short films and their creators.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Short Film Day

Watch a short film

Take some time to watch a short film that is new to you. Check out streaming services such as YouTube or Vimeo for options, or head over to your local library or independent theater and rent one.

HOST

Host a short film festival

Invite family and friends over and make it a night of celebrating the art of the short film. Have everyone bring their favorite shorts and share them with the group or find a channel or website that streams them for free.

MAKE

Make your own short film

Grab your friends and family and shoot your own short film project! You can write it, direct it, star in it, or just have fun playing around with the camera and seeing what you can create.

Go to a short film night

Check for local film nights at theaters and libraries in your area that showcase short films from all genres from across the globe.

ATTEND

Attend an awards ceremony

Look out for local award ceremonies like the Academy Awards or Sundance Film Festival where nominees are recognized for their work in making outstanding short films.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Short Film Day

They show new talent & creativity

Since most people don't have the funding or resources needed to create a full length feature film, many aspiring filmmakers rely on short film festivals as a platform for their work. National Short Film Day is the perfect opportunity to showcase new (and often unknown) talent and celebrate innovative filmmaking techniques from around the world!

They offer unique perspectives

Short films are often designed to evoke emotion and evoke a response from the viewer. Because they're so concise, filmmakers can express their ideas in interesting and creative ways that longer films may not be able to accomplish.

They tell stories succinctly

Due to their shorter lengths, short films can convey complex ideas and emotions in a very limited space of time, which makes them valuable tools for storytelling. They don't have to spend much time setting up characters or elaborate plots - they can get straight to the point!