Brevity ‐ format ‐ programme: a conceptual triangle

This article outlines the theoretical tenets of considering the short film as a format. Taken as a format rather than simply a film of short duration, the conceptual triangle of brevity – format – programme is used as a foundation to reflect on the particular epistemological position of short films in film studies and to address larger questions of canon, circulation and context. Rather than working towards a codification of an essence or specificity of the short film, this article proposes that the technical term ‘format’ is a suitable concept to concretely identify and discuss the factors at play in the production and exhibition of short films