What makes a good short film?
Same thing that makes any film a good one - strong characters and a good story told with style. Short documentaries are no different. The style of the film can come later - and if your story is chosen then we can help with that. So let's look at the two most important factors in any film idea:

Character
Any film has to have a strong character at its centre - and especially a film that's all about identity. What is it about you that makes you worth watching? What makes you unique? Even if you like to blend in with the crowd, there must be something about you that's different - a particular viewpoint or the way you express yourself, perhaps? Most importantly - describe yourself in a way that brings your character to life. At this stage, we can only see you with words - so make them count.

Kate Vogel, commissioning editor for Channel 4's Three Minute Wonders films, puts it like this:
"It seems an obvious thing to say but a good documentary needs a compelling character at the heart of it - why do you want to tell your story? The challenge is to capture what is important to you and to translate to the audience your passion. Without this passion there isn't a film."

Story
Films are stories made of pictures and sounds. The best stories have a clear beginning, middle and end, with highs and lows, ups and downs. A story that travels in a straight line without really going anywhere is predictable and boring.

We're not asking you write a thrilling piece of fiction here - we're making documentaries, not dramas. But think of events from your real life that have had these highs and lows, those life-changing moments that helped define your identity. But remember - our films will be just three minutes long. So be concise!

MAKING SHORTS >>