What is a Short Film?

To begin my research, I will first need to understand what defines a short film.

A good area to start is to compare a short film to a feature length film. This will begin my research into the codes and conventions of a short film. Some of the key comparisons are:

Feature Film                      Short Film
100 minutes                       10 minutes
High Budget                       Low Budget
Professional                       Amateur
Widely Distributed              Rarely seen
Published via Cinema          Published on the Internet
Large Casts                        Small casts
Vast Equipment                  Limited Equipment
Mass Audience                    Niche Audience

But are these comparisons an accurate way to define a short film?

With the short film category being extremely open, different people/organisations/directors define a short film differently.

Defined by Length?
One of the common ways to determine a short film, would be it's length. But how short is a short film?
• A short film can be any film that is less than a standard feature film (90-120 minutes)
• No consensus exists bounding a short film to be a certain length.
• However, a consensus is emerging within the industry, stating that a short should be no longer than 40 minutes.
• Films in the sub 5 minute category are considered to be a 'micro short'

Defined by Content? 
• Short films might be considered as the literary equivalent of the poem or short story.
• The best short films, according to Gareth Evans, are 'crystalline creations of precise, prismatic intensity'.
• Good short films represent a refinement of ideas and distilled essences of their creators' imagination.

Defined by Form: 
• As far as content is concerned, there is the same variety on offer as in longer length feature films.
• Can be fiction or non-fiction
• The flexibility of a short film is considered its greatest asset - it crosses the boundaries of all categories of film production.
• Can be any form - Advertising, documentary, music video, animation, avant grade film.

Defined as Vocational: 
• Short films are often included on the showreel portfolios that are considered to be an apprenticeship for the professional filmmaking.

Sources:

Book: Teaching Short Films - Symon Quy