Short films are similar to full-length films in that they have a beginning, middle, and end, but are typically less than 40 minutes long. They are often lower budget productions created by independent directors and can be used to entertain or convey a serious message. While not as popular as in the past, short films are still shown at film festivals and online. Some filmmakers create short films for charities to help raise donations. The history of short films began in the 1910s in the US with animated and live-action comedies, though their popularity declined in the 1930s before rising again in 1955 due to Charlie Chaplin's return to short comedy films.

1. By Mohamed Ahmed
What is a short film and brief History?
• A short film is similar to any other film, it has a
beginning, middle and end, however its all
fitted into usually under 40 minutes.
• They are usually low budget films by
independent directors.
• There are many short films which are made to
make people laugh, however people use it a lot
to get a serious message across as well.
• Short films are usually shown in film festivals
and the internet these days, as they are not as
popular as they were before.

2. Short films are not that popular anymore in todays
media, however they are shown and given awards
in festivals, such as the Raindance film festival.
Some people create short films in order for charity,
such as Red Nose Day and Comic Relief, they
create a series of short films in order to get people
to donate.

3. The history of short films
Short films began in the 1910’s in the
United States of America. The films
were animated films or live action.
Most of the films were made to
make people laugh (comedy). In the
1930’s the popularity of short films
started to decrease, however in 1955
short films were on the rise again.
The rise was because of Charlie
Chaplin, he starting to make short
comedy films again, but since then
short films haven’t really been that
popular. Pixar and Disney have
made a couple of short films in the
recent times, such as; For the Birds,
Geri’s Game and The Lamp.

5. 7 rules for writing short films by Raindance
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The shorter the better
Keep the practicalities of writing in mind
Make it visual
Find single moments
Tell a story
Engage the reader
Beware of the clichés
http://www.raindance.org/7-rules-for-writingshort-films-2/