The BFI’s short film fund, the Uncertain Kingdom short film fund, the work of S.O.U.L Film Festival. The best short film festivals in the World 2022, as crowned by MovieMaker magazine: Aspen, Clermont-Ferrard, Palm Springs, Holly Shorts and Kyiv to name a handful of twenty listed. Short films are centre stage at film festivals around the world from Aesthetica to Underwire to Martha’s Vineyard.
Shorts are a glowing part of the filmmaking landscape, with some projects enjoying direct financial and cryptocurrency returns through screening fees paid by film and television platforms. Often seen as a stepping stone to features, and a seed of delight which can spring into more action, shorts are in fact a unique proposition in their own right. They enable their creators to yield force in a way which can resonate for years to come. Bolder than some features and more experimental, shorts are available to consume quickly. An entire life changing viewing experience can be had in 15 minutes or less.
On May 25th 2022, the 2nd anniversary marking the death of George Floyd, Sky Documentaries launched a £500,000 UK shorts fund. Screen Ireland's Focus Shorts Fund awards up to 50,000 Euros each to 4 aspiring talents per year, and now in its 3rd edition The Women X Film Festival in Darlington celebrates shorts made by female identifying and non binary filmmakers which “challenge the narrative set by mainstream media”.
Last year when I began my voluntary role as Chair of BAFTA’s British Short Film Award Jury, it fuelled a return to writing in short form for me and while my long form projects progressed to the next stage of gestation. I wrote two short films, a short play and some short stories. Short is sweet, short happens now, and in many cases short does lead to longevity.
*Winners of the 4th 225 Film Club announced. Plus reviews of the films screened at the BFI on Friday 9 December 2022.
*Winners of the 5th 225 Film Club announed. Plus reviews of the films screened at the BFI on Thursday 26 October 2023.
© Rita Osei