By Sarah Chaisson-Warner
Adapted from an original article by Lee Hamilton
A short film is one of the best calling cards a writer can have. Not only does it offer filmmakers the opportunity to make a film on a lower budget, it can also help to establish your particular point of view.
An on-screen credit can go a long way towards gaining representation and many successful writers have utilized the short film festival circuit to get their work in front of industry professionals. At the same time, younger generations are growing up on shorter, more digestible formats on streaming services, making short films in higher demand than ever before.
But where can you watch high-quality short films for free? We've assembled a list of the best sites below. Happy viewing! (And don't forget to enter your own short film into the Short Film Fund).
1: Short of the Week
You can easily watch new short films on this platform through their website. Short of the Week consistently features and premieres new short films on a weekly basis, making it one of the best short film websites available.
Pros:
- Films are uploaded frequently and there is a huge selection available.
- The website is slick and appealing.
- BONUS: Alumni and Short Film Fund Judge, Sam Baron's short film, THE ORGY, was selected as the Short of the Week on this site!
2: FilmDoo
FilmDoo is a great place to find international short (and feature) films of all types. There’s a community aspect to the site, and following, sharing, and commenting are encouraged. There’s a vast selection of movies with the ability to tailor your search easily.
Pros:
- Has multiple search options and search filter options.
- Films are uploaded regularly and there are many to choose from.
- The community aspect allows for lots of interaction.
- Members can review and request movies.
3: Omeleto
Omeleto on YouTube is often the go-to destination for enthusiasts seeking top-notch storytelling and cinematic artistry. Omeleto has cultivated a devoted fan base thanks to its unwavering dedication to handpicking an exceptional array of shorts.
Pros:
- Meticulously curated array of short films with regular additions
- Sense of community among film lovers
- BONUS: Short Film Fund winner CHAMP premiered online on Omeleto!
4: Alter & Dust
ALTER (horror) and DUST (sci-fi) are two of the internet’s most-watched short film destinations, with just under 7 million subscribers on YouTube. They curate standout genre short films from around the world, releasing one short per week per channel.
Pros:
- Consistent, fresh content
- Clear focus on specific genres
5: Klipist
Unlike some of the more well-known platforms, Klipist doesn’t bombard you with subscription prompts and distractions. Instead, it prioritizes the curation of an outstanding collection of short films.
Pros:
- Extensive library of over 10,000 short films
- Curators spotlight the cream of the crop
- Ad-free experience
Bonus Websites to Watch Short Films for Free
6: Film Shortage
Film Shortage is one of the leading Online Short Film Websites that’s been well-known for some time. The Daily Picks feature provides fresh content on a consistent level. The site is clearly a go-to place for upcoming filmmakers, hosting many online premieres and Film Shortage exclusives
Pros:
- Daily Picks allows for consistent fresh content
- Their blog has a nice selection of articles, news, guides, etc.
7: Director's Notes
Director's Notes has quickly become the go-to site for independent filmmakers to get their work seen and featured by a supportive staff and community. Although they curate films of all lengths, there is an extensive catalog of short films accompanied by interviews with the directors.
Pros:
- In-depth interviews with directors provide an inside look into the making of the films featured on the site
- Films are featured both on their website and on their YouTube channel
- Website is categorized by format and offers a search function
More Short Film Websites
While we're thrilled to have presented you with five excellent sites for viewing short films for free, we also know that every filmmaker needs to make a living, and there are several notable sites as well where you can watch short films for a nominal fee:
- Cineshort: Watch over 800 hand-picked short films from all over the world.
- WeShort: Based in Italy, WeShort is dedicated to streaming short films from around the world.
- Shortly Film: Shortly has a wide array of titles, but it's focused on four genres: horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and thrillers.
- CineShorts: Based in India but streaming globally, CineShorts features 900 shorts categorized by genre, director, and awards and festivals.
- Shorts.tv: Boasts the world's largest catalogue of short films, which can be viewed through their app in the U.S. and U.K. on Android and Apple devices.
What's one of the best ways to learn how to write and make a great short film? Watching them! Hopefully, this quick list has provided plenty of options to allow you to watch high-quality short films.
