Codes and Conventions of Short Films

There are no specific codes and conventions of a short film, but I did notice certain points when watching a selection of films.
There is no clear definition of the maximum length of a short film, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences classify it as 40 minutes, although this may vary.
Short films tend to focus on difficult topics which longer, more commercial films, will avoid. This is because they are not funded by big studios. Directors of short films benefit from freedom and can take higher risks, but they must rely on festivals like Cannes to achieve public display.
Most short films are better known outside of the United States that within, due to less expectation from other audiences. However, film shorts are often a popular extra feature on DVD’s. For example, Pixar DVD’s typically include a short film that was distributed with the feature film in its theatrical release.
One of the things I noticed when watching short films is that there is usually just one or two main characters. The film will most likely focus on one central protagonist throughout, and explore their journey through the story. This allows the story to be told from the characters perspective, which makes the point of view shot a popular choice in short films.
Another typical feature in short films is a twist in the storyline to keep the narrative unpredictable and therefore appealing to the audience. As there is not a lot of time in a short film, a twist in the storyline is the easiest and quickest way to interest the audience.
Voiceovers are typical in short film, sometimes preferred over dialogue, as it gives the characters a chance to connect with the audience. This will, however, depend on the plot of the short film. For example, if the film is exploring how a character feels alone/isolated, then a voiceover would be more suited that a conversation with secondary characters.
The narrative of a short film is required to be original and, if necessary – strange, to make them stand out from the rest. The topics highlighted in short films maybe more realistic than feature films as they explore human emotions in greater depth.