Short films are often seen as a stepping stone, a way for new filmmakers to practise their craft before moving on to bigger projects. But for some writers and directors, a short has been the direct route to a feature. A strong short can prove that an idea works, show off a distinctive voice and convince producers that a story deserves a larger canvas.
Still from 'District 9' (2009). Photo credit: TriStar Pictures
If you are writing short screenplays, these examples are a reminder that a few pages can open the door to something much bigger. Here are nine short films that grew into feature films.
1. Whiplash
Damien Chazelle struggled to find financing for his feature script about a young drummer and his abusive teacher. So he turned a section of the screenplay into a short film, which was well received at the Sundance Film Festival in 2013. The attention helped get the feature made, and Whiplash (2014) went on to win three Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for J.K. Simmons.
2. District 9
Neill Blomkamp's short Alive in Joburg used a documentary style to explore a story about aliens living in Johannesburg. Its striking mix of science fiction and social commentary caught the attention of Peter Jackson, who produced the expanded feature version. District 9 (2009) became a critical and commercial success and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.
3. Saw
James Wan and Leigh Whannell shot a short version of one scene from their script to show investors what the film could look like. The short helped them secure funding, and Saw (2004) became one of the most successful horror franchises of all time, all from a modest budget and a simple, terrifying premise.
4. Lights Out
David F. Sandberg's short film about a creature that only appears in the dark is less than three minutes long. It spread quickly online, and its simple concept was expanded into the feature Lights Out (2016). It is a great example of how a single strong idea can sustain an entire film.
5. Mama
Andy Muschietti's eerie short caught the attention of Guillermo del Toro, who went on to produce the feature length version. Mama (2013) expanded the short's unsettling central image into a full story about two girls found living alone in a cabin in the woods.
6. Napoleon Dynamite
Before Napoleon Dynamite (2004), Jared Hess made a black and white short called Peluca, which introduced the awkward, deadpan character who would become a cult favourite. The short showed the unique comic tone that made the feature stand out.
7. Bottle Rocket
Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson made a short version of Bottle Rocket (1996), which screened at the Sundance Film Festival and helped them secure backing for a feature. It launched the career of one of the most recognisable filmmakers working today.
8. Sling Blade
Billy Bob Thornton wrote and starred in the short Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade, directed by George Hickenlooper. He later wrote, directed and starred in the feature Sling Blade (1996), which won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
9. Boogie Nights
While still a teenager, Paul Thomas Anderson made a short mockumentary called The Dirk Diggler Story. Years later he returned to the idea and turned it into Boogie Nights (1997), an ambitious ensemble film that earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
What Short Screenwriters Can Learn
These films share a few things in common. Each short had a clear, memorable concept that could be understood quickly. Each showed a distinctive voice, whether that was a particular sense of humour, a visual style or a fresh take on a genre. And each left audiences wanting more.
When you write a short screenplay, it is worth asking whether the idea could grow. That does not mean every short should be a pitch for a feature. Many of the best shorts are complete in themselves. But a strong short can show what you are capable of, and sometimes that is all it takes for someone to ask what else you have.
