A short film is any film that is 40 minutes or less in length.
Some are made for millions of dollars, others are made for nothing. Some include dozens of actors, others have none. Some are made for YouTube or TikTok, others premiere in film festivals.
There are no hard and fast rules to making a short film. No matter the production value, genre, medium, theme, or platform, as long as a film tells a story in 40 minutes or less, it’s a short film.
That being said, most festivals – where the majority of short films are screened – look to maximize their programming, which means prioritizing shorter films. These same festivals typically max out at 40 minutes for eligible short films, so do what you can to tell the best story possible in the shortest amount of time.