Can you actually distribute a short?
Short films, unlike feature-length productions, rarely generate direct revenue, yet they often have a distribution advantage filmmakers rarely think about. Without the need for theatrical infrastructure short films can reach audiences more flexibly. But what does distribution mean for a short film, and how can we navigate it strategically?
You’re doing it wrong. Strategically, always assume a short will lead to something more. It is best to accept a short as a calling card; a demonstration of skill, vision, and potential for something greater. This doesn’t necessarily mean expanding on the short itself, but more that every decision, from festival submissions to online releases and promotional framing, should ask the question: “Who needs to see this to back me further?” Distribution isn’t about reaching everyone either. It’s about reaching the line.
Why festivals will always matter. Are film festivals still relevant in a digital-first world? Absolutely. In fact, they remain the primary venue for shorts,. Take Yearbook’s first short, If You Say Too Much. Its festival circuit lasted over a year, offering sustained engagement with audiences, critics, and industry peers. Each screening delivered feedback, exposure, and networking opportunities that shaped both the film’s reception and the team’s professional growth. Festivals may not function as commercial engines, but they are invaluable ecosystems of recognition and opportunity.
How Important Is Marketing for a Short Film? Unfortunately, not everyone will sit down to watch your short. But they will at least see your trailer. Even with shoestring budgets, strategic marketing matters. Marketing efforts shape perception, intent, and tone. Tying back to the above strategic underline: every marketing decision should serve your long-term goals as a filmmaker. A trailer, social media post, or festival teaser isn’t just about the short itself, it’s about signaling your capabilities, your voice, and your potential to collaborators, producers, and funders. Even minimal marketing can create touchpoints that position you as a serious creator, increasing the likelihood that future projects will find support, talent, and audience. In short, the real value of a short film isn’t in its runtime or revenue, it’s in the doors it opens and the story it tells about you as a filmmaker.
