National Short Film Day

National Short Film Day is celebrated annually on December 28. This day recognizes the creative power of short-form cinema and commemorates the official birth of the motion picture industry.

History of National Short Film Day

The date of this observance honors the anniversary of the world’s first commercial public film screening. On December 28, 1895, Auguste and Louis Lumière presented a program of ten short films to a paying audience of 33 people at the Grand Café in Paris. These early films, including “Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory,” lasted less than a minute each but captivated the crowd and established the foundation for modern cinema.

The modern holiday was established in 2019 by Film Movement, a North American film distributor. The organization created the day to bring attention to the artistry and resilience of the short film industry, which often receives less mainstream exposure than feature-length productions. By connecting the holiday to the Lumière brothers’ historic achievement, the observance reminds audiences that the entire movie industry began with the short film format.

Why is National Short Film Day important?

Short films serve as a vital laboratory for innovation and experimentation in the cinematic world. Because they require smaller budgets and shorter production timelines than major studio features, they allow filmmakers to take greater creative risks with narrative structure and visual style. Many Academy Award-winning directors, such as Greta Gerwig and Barry Jenkins, utilized short films early in their careers to hone their skills and establish their unique artistic voices.

The format also provides a platform for diverse perspectives and underrepresented stories that might not fit the commercial requirements of a two-hour theatrical release. With a maximum runtime of 40 minutes, these films must convey complex emotions and messages with extreme efficiency and precision. This constraints-driven creativity often results in powerful, concentrated storytelling that can leave a lasting impact on the viewer in a very short amount of time.

• Short films allow emerging directors to showcase their talent to the industry
• The format encourages experimentation with new technology and visual effects
• Many independent stories find a voice through short-form documentaries and animation
• Educational institutions use short films to teach media literacy and visual arts
• The industry recognizes excellence in this format through dedicated categories at major awards

How to Celebrate National Short Film Day

One of the most effective ways to celebrate is by exploring digital platforms like Vimeo, YouTube, or specialized streaming services that curate independent cinema. Many organizations release special playlists of award-winning shorts on this day, covering genres ranging from live-action drama to experimental animation. Hosting a small viewing party at home allows friends to watch several different stories in the time it would take to finish one feature-length movie.

Aspiring creators can use this day as motivation to start their own projects using modern smartphone technology. Making a short film no longer requires expensive equipment, as high-quality editing software is widely available for mobile devices. Sharing your favorite shorts on social media or leaving positive reviews for independent filmmakers online helps these artists reach a broader audience and secure funding for future work.

• Watch a curated selection of Oscar-nominated short films on a streaming site
• Use a smartphone to record and edit a one-minute story about daily life
• Share a link to an independent filmmaker’s work to help them gain visibility
• Attend a local independent cinema that features short film programs
• Read about the technical history of the Lumière brothers’ Cinématographe

National Short Film Day Dates Table