.svg)
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!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1895</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inception of Short Films</div><div class='timeline-text'>Auguste and Louis Lumière invented a machine that captured moving images, creating the first short films.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1920</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Height of Silent Films</div><div class='timeline-text'>Short, silent movies became immensely popular, employing visual storytelling techniques unaccompanied by sound.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1932</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inception of Academy Award for Shorts</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Academy introduced a category dedicated to short films, further recognizing their importance in the filmmaking industry.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1970</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Shorts Become Art Form</div><div class='timeline-text'>Film schools and independent filmmakers popularize short films as an artistic medium and incubator for filmmaking talent, unlike their previous function as simple novelties.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2005</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Rise of Online Distribution</div><div class='timeline-text'>YouTube is launched leading to an explosion of short film creation and consumption on the Internet, leading a new era for short films.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2019</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Launching of National Short Film Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>National Short Film Day is recognized and celebrated for the first time, paying homage to the achievements of short films and their creators.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch a short film</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a short film festival</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make your own short film</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Go to a short film night</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Check for local film nights at theaters and libraries in your area that showcase short films from all genres from across the globe.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend an awards ceremony</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>They offer unique perspectives</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>They tell stories succinctly</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>They show new talent & creativity</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>"Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB" Was a Short Film</h3><p class='facts-content'>Before directing Star Wars, George Lucas’ student short film, "Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB", won first prize at the National Student Film Festival in 1967 and later became a full length movie.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Short Films are Prequels or Extensions of Feature Films</h3><p class='facts-content'>Many famous movies have associated short films that serve as a prequel, backstory or character study, such as "Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Scroll" which gives further depth to the feature film.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Short Films are Marketing Tools</h3><p class='facts-content'>Many brand advertisers have leveraged the short film format as a unique way to tell their stories. For example, BMW created a series of short films, "The Hire," as promotional pieces featuring popular actors and directors.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>"Pathé Brothers" Made It Big in Short Films</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Pathé Brothers from France were pioneers in the field of short films and newsreels. They also introduced a unique rooster logo that is recognized worldwide.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Short Films Have Broadened Social Awareness</h3><p class='facts-content'>Short films have played a role in raising awareness on important social issues. For instance, the Oscar-winning short film "Period. End of Sentence" highlighted the stigma around menstruation in rural India and led to global conversation and change.</p></div></div>
National Short Film Day is celebrated on December 28 every year. In 2024 National Short Film Day will occur on a Saturday.
2023
Dec 28
Thursday
2024
Dec 28
Saturday
2025
Dec 28
Sunday
2026
Dec 28
Monday
2027
Dec 28
Tuesday
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
