What Length Should My Short Film Be for Film Festivals?

If there is one factor that influences your chances of getting into film festivals more than almost anything else, it’s this:

How long your film is.

Not your camera.
Not your budget.
Not even your genre.

Your runtime.

Most filmmakers don’t realize that festivals don’t just select films — they build blocks. A typical screening block is 60 to 120 minutes long, and it has to feel good to sit through from start to finish.

That means every minute matters.

The sweet spot

Across most film festivals, including the Utah International Film Festival, there is a very clear sweet spot:

Under 15 minutes is good.
Under 10 minutes is great.
Under 8 minutes is festival gold.

Why?

Because shorter films are easier to program.

A 7-minute film can fit almost anywhere.
A 22-minute film needs a very specific home.

When a programmer is trying to build a tight, engaging block, a long short can force them to drop two or three other films just to make it fit. That makes it a much harder “yes,” even if the film is good.

Longer doesn’t mean better

A common mistake is thinking that more minutes means more depth.

In reality, most short films would be stronger if they were shorter.

Film festivals reward:

• Clarity

• Momentum

• Emotional punch

A story that lands in 8 minutes will almost always beat one that wanders for 18.

This doesn’t mean long shorts never get in. They do. But they have to earn every minute. The story has to justify the space it takes up in a program.

Why festivals quietly prefer shorter films

Here’s the part nobody tells filmmakers.

Shorter films help festivals:

• Build better blocks

• Fit more filmmakers into the lineup

• And keep audiences engaged

Which means they also help:

• More filmmakers get selected

• More screenings sell tickets

• And more people discover new work

When your film is short, you’re not just helping yourself — you’re helping the festival succeed.

And festivals remember that.

So what should you aim for?

If you’re still in development or editing:

Aim for 10 minutes or less whenever possible.

If you’re already finished:

Don’t panic. Submit anyway.
Just know that every minute above 15 becomes a bigger programming challenge.

Great films get in at any length — but short films get in more often.