How to Use Short Films as the Building Blocks of Your Career
Why Short Films Are the Smartest Move for Filmmakers
We all dream of the big screen. The red carpets. The moment the lights dim, and your name flashes on the opening credits of a feature film. But here’s the truth: before you take that giant leap, mastering the short film format is one of the smartest, most strategic moves you can make as a filmmaker.
Short films aren’t just stepping stones; they’re power tools. They build your credibility, connect you with collaborators, and get your work in front of the people who can help take your career to the next level.
In a world where attention spans are shrinking, short films are perfectly positioned to work with incredible people and produce at the highest level possible while remaining cost-effective enough that they can still get made.
Let’s break down why short films are a powerhouse for building your career and how to make the most of this incredible medium.
Build a Team That Elevates Your Project
Getting well-known actors or highly respected crew members to say yes to your project is much easier with a short film than a feature. A short represents a manageable time commitment, and many talented people are looking for opportunities to work on creatively fulfilling projects with dynamic, passionate filmmakers.
The key is what I call bottom-up packaging. I've done this a number of times and it works not just for shorts but also for features. You start by partnering with crew members who are already respected in the industry— your cinematographer, editor, or composer. Once you have those names on board, you’re building credibility for your project, which makes it more appealing to actors or other high-value collaborators.
When you pitch talent, make it about the vision. Why is this short special? Why is your voice unique? Actors don’t need your short to pay their rent. They want to be creatively inspired. I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible talent like Tatiana Maslany (She-Hulk), Joe Keery (Stranger Things), Maika Monroe (Longlegs), and Zachary Levi (Shazaam!) in my shorts. Every one of them said yes because they were excited about the project, not the paycheck.
Maika Monroe in How To Be Alone
Another thing that I've found to be very effective is to position your short as part of a larger vision for a feature or series. When actors know the short could lead to a more meaningful opportunity and that you want to build a long-term collaboration, it demonstrates you are thinking about the bigger picture. Plus, if they have a good experience on your short, they’ll be much more likely to join your feature.
Shorts aren’t competing with feature films for budgets; they’re competing with for time and attention. Your job is to make the most of that time by showing collaborators why your project matters.
Make Yourself Impossible to Ignore
One of the most misunderstood aspects of shorts is that don’t make money, but that’s actually an advantage. Without financial expectations weighing you down, you’re free to be more creative with distribution. Your job isn’t to make a profit, it’s to get your work seen by the right people and open new doors for what you want to do next.
You should plan to get your short out there via platforms like YouTube, Vimeo and even Facebook by leveraging distribution partners like Short of the Week, Vimeo Staff Pick, Omeleto, DUST, ALTER, Directors Notes, Film Shortage, WeShort, Argo and more. Short film distribution is a veritable Swiss-army knife of options and I encourage you to view the distribution of your film much like the creative process itself. How you shape the way your film is shared and ultimately connects with audiences is only limited by your creativity and willingness to roll up your sleeves and do the work. Unlike features, where exclusivity deals can limit distribution options, short films can be shared widely without any restrictions.
Social media is another essential tool. My personal strategy is to use my own accounts to promote my work rather than creating a separate account for each project. Your audience wants to follow your journey as a filmmaker, not just a single film. Share behind-the-scenes footage, festival updates, and personal reflections on your process.
I also recommend spending time studying ecosystems where shorts aren't just distributed, they are written about and reflected on. My favorites include Short of the Week, Directors Notes and Film Shortage. They curate the best short films out there and offer invaluable insights in what works and what doesn’t. Watch, learn, and apply those learnings to your own projects.
When Souls of Totality was released, we leaned heavily on digital distribution. It was selected as a Vimeo Staff Pick, which is very competitive and almost like winning a festival. That kind of recognition can only happen if you’re strategic about where and how you share your work.
Souls of Totality was selected for the prestigious Vimeo Staff Pick
Festivals Are Not the Only Path
Festivals are fantastic for building credibility and getting your film seen, but they’re not the only way to succeed. Short films are uniquely flexible when it comes to distribution. If your film doesn’t get into the festivals you hoped for, you still have plenty of options to reach an audience.
Online platforms are your best friend here. With short films, you’re free to share your work on multiple platforms at once. You can also leverage press coverage to amplify your film’s visibility. A well-placed article or interview can catch the attention of industry professionals and build momentum for your project.
Short films are about making an impression, not making money. The more eyes you can get on your work, the better positioned you’ll be for future opportunities.
Proof of Concept, Proof of Potential
There’s a reason the phrase "proof of concept" is so common when people talk about short films. A well-executed short can prove you’re ready to direct a feature.
When done right, a short film is a perfect way to showcase the tone, style, and characters of your feature. Take Jim Cummings’ short Thunder Road. It was simple, brilliantly executed, and directly tied to the feature he wanted to make. That short gave investors confidence in his vision and helped him get the full-length version made.
If your goal is to turn your short into a feature, keep the connection clear. Your short should feel like a snapshot of the larger project. Whether it’s a key scene, an exploration of the world, or a focus on the main character, your short should leave viewers wanting more—and prove you’re the one to deliver it.
My shorts have opened so many doors for me not just because they are compelling stories; it's also about showcasing what my team and I can accomplish. Competing at top festivals like SXSW, Tribeca and over 100 others helped get me signed to my manager and provide pathways to larger projects in film and TV. That’s the power of a proof of concept done well.
At SXSW for the premiere of one of my shorts
The Creative Freedom of Short Films
One of the greatest gifts of short films is the freedom to experiment. Without the massive commitment of a feature, you can take risks, try new things, and discover your unique voice as a filmmaker.
Shorts allow you to play with different genres, techniques, and storytelling methods. Curious about using long takes? Try it in a short. Want to explore a niche genre? Go for it. The stakes are lower, and the opportunities for growth are enormous.
When we made How to Be Alone, we leaned heavily into psychological horror. It was a chance to explore tension and intimacy in a way that wouldn’t have been possible in a larger production. That film went on to premiere at SXSW and gave us the confidence to push boundaries in future projects.
The Value of Completion
Every filmmaker knows starting a project is one thing, but finishing it is another. Completing a short film proves you have the tenacity and discipline to take a project from concept to execution.
This is crucial when pitching yourself to collaborators, agents, or investors. A track record of completed projects shows you’re serious about your craft and capable of delivering results.
Every short film you finish is a step toward building trust within the industry. It’s proof that you’re not just a dreamer; you’re a doer. That reliability is your calling card, and it’s what will set you apart when you’re ready to tackle larger projects. Festivals are an added layer of validation that demonstrates that your work can compete in a very crowded ecosystem. In fact, statistically it's harder to get a short film into Sundance than it is a feature just by virtue of the amount of competition. For the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, there were over 14,000 short films submitted.
Start Small, Dream Big
Short films have been a vital part of my journey as a filmmaker, and they continue to be a powerful format even for those with experience. They offer a unique opportunity to try out new ideas, refine your skills, and tell impactful stories without the massive commitment of a feature.
Creating a short film isn’t just a stepping stone; it’s an investment in yourself and your future as a filmmaker.
To every aspiring filmmaker, I say this: start small, dream big. Use short films to tell the stories you’re passionate about, collaborate with people who inspire you, and create work that’s impossible to ignore.
The industry is evolving. Audiences are more open than ever to short-form content, and there are countless opportunities to get your work seen. If you’re willing to put in the time, effort, and passion, short films can be the foundation of an incredible filmmaking career.
The future of your career starts now. What story will you tell?
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