A short film is a film of Cinéma one duration shorter than the traditional duration of commercial films passing in room. The " term; métrage" refers to the length of the reel. One finds in the short film same the cinematographic categories as the feature-length film (Documentary film, fiction, etc)

The definition of a short film

The limit between short, average and feature-length film can vary according to the definitions:

• According to the National center of cinematography (CNC) French, a short film is a Film whose measuring does not exceed: 1600 meters in format 35 mm (or the equivalent length in the other formats), are approximately 59 minutes.
• On the American site IMDb, is classified like “shorts” the films of less than 45 minutes.
• However, the films of more than 30 minutes are generally called medium-length films , and are seldom accepted in the festivals.
• For a few years, one has called very short the films of which the duration does not exceed three to four minutes. Special competitions are reserved to them.

Economy of the short film

Alternative modes of distribution

Not very widespread in the traditional distribution systems, the short film benefits nevertheless from an unquestionable interest in the Festival S specialized (silver Vidéo and ) as on Internet where Web sites are devoted to him. One finds them even on the mobile phones.

It is necessary to underline the efforts of CNC and certain distributers to promote the short film: it is increasingly frequent to see in room of the programs only made up of short films. This type of film also benefits from the development of the Télévision by cable and satellite, several chains buying and diffusing short films regularly. Lastly, the rise of DVD offers a new distribution support to these films, in the form of supplements or of DVD being exclusively dedicated them.

The policy of the short film in France

• Until 1939 , the industry of the short film is blocked by two phenomena:
• the absence of aid State for the economy of short-measuring.
• the cinemas practice the double program regularly (successive projection of two full-length films).
• Consequently, the professionals of the short film gather in co-operatives of production and especially of distribution (for example Craftsmen of art of the cinema).

• the law October 26th, 1940 (Law of regulation of the cinema industry, confirmed by the law of September 29th, 1948) constitutes a major stage by founding a protection of the short film:

• the passage of a short film becomes obligatory at the beginning of meeting.
• 3% of the receipts of the meeting returns to the short film.

However, the system does not support necessarily the emergence of short films of quality. Those are too frequently advertizing.

• In 1953 , the legislation is modified twice:

• on August 6th, 1953, a law removes the automatic remuneration of the short film in proportion to the gross earnings with the profit of a premium to quality. This with the great satisfaction of the realizers.
• on August 21st, 1953, an Order in Council removes the obligation to project a French short film before each French feature-length film. The double program in theory again is thus authorized.

It is the cold shower for the world of the short film which will be mobilized within the Groupe of the thirty (Alexandre Astruc, Georges Franju, Paul Grimault, Marcel Ichac, Jacques Demy, Jean Painlevé, Paul Paviot, Alain Resnais, Georges Rouquier, etc), whose action will have a great repercussion. The French short film will gain in quality. The festival of short-measurings of Tours will ensure its radiation.

A school for the young realizers

The short film represents a true springboard for the young talented realizers. He asks much less means than a feature-length film, and for this reason the majority of the largest realizers started by carrying out short films. But in the same way that in Littérature the news is a kind which requires to concentrate its efforts, the short film forces to gather all qualities of a Feature-length film in one short duration.

Festivals

Each year takes place with Clermont-Ferrand the International festival of the short-measuring of Clermont-Ferrand.

In Brest, since 1986, each year of the courts and medium-length films are projected, with the Festival European of Short film of Brest. During one or two weeks according to the years, of works of all Europe are selected, projected and rewarded. Association West coast, founded one year later, supports this demonstration.

References

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