lyhytelokuvina

Lyhytelokuvina is the plural essive form of lyhytelokuva, meaning “as short films” in Finnish. The phrase is used to describe works that are presented or considered in the form of short films rather than as features. A lyhytelokuva is a cinematic work with a duration significantly shorter than a feature film; the usual threshold in many contexts is around 40 minutes or less, though festival definitions vary and some consider up to 60 minutes still to be short.

Short films are common in Finnish cinema and film education. They are often produced with small budgets and crews, frequently by students or emerging filmmakers, and serve as a testing ground for storytelling, technique, and form, including narrative, documentary, and experimental works. Distribution tends to rely on film festivals, school screenings, and increasingly online platforms.

In Finland, national support for short films comes from funding bodies such as the Finnish Film Foundation (Suomen elokuvasäätiö), which provides development and production support. The Tampere Film Festival is a major venue for Finnish and international short films, offering a competitive program and visibility for new talent.