Joining the conversation is Mike Plante, the Senior Short Film Programmer at Sundance, boasting over 20 years of experience in the industry. He discusses the surge in short film popularity and shares key insights into what Sundance looks for during the selection process. Mike emphasizes the value of shorts for experimentation and creative storytelling. He also delves into the transition from short films to features, recounting notable successes and offering advice on avoiding common pitfalls for aspiring filmmakers.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Transition to Docs
Mike Plante started with fiction shorts but found he was better at documentaries.
He transitioned to documentaries about outsiders after a project with a friend.
insights INSIGHT
The Exhibition Side
Working at festivals or theaters teaches filmmakers about exhibition.
Consider how your film will be experienced in a theater.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Sundance Short Film Programming
Sundance short film programs aim for 90-100 minutes with no more than 7 shorts.
The length of submitted shorts influences the total number of films programmed.
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“There’s never been a better time to make shorts or watch shorts,” says Mike Plante, the senior short film programmer at Sundance Film Festival. Mike, who has been at Sundance for over 20 years, shares his thoughts on the future of shorts and what his team looks for in the selection process.
In today’s episode, No Film School’s Ryan Koo speaks with Mike Plante to discuss:
Developing motion picture films at the drug store in the ‘90s
Why shorts are a great medium to learn and experiment
Working at festivals and movie theaters
Receiving over 12,000 short submissions in 2024
Disadvantages of creating long shorts
Differences in funding international shorts
Seeing many different types of voices, stories, and styles
Sundance shorts that later became features
What makes you a filmmaker
What Sundance looks for in a short
Memorable Quotes
“You’re always a filmmaker, but there will be months you’re not doing anything on your film.” [2:48]
“You may watch a thousand shorts and nothing is good. Then you just start to lose your mind.” [10:45]
“Your 30-minute short has to be better than three, 10-minute shorts.” [12:25]
“The internet is good for shorts because you can put it up. It doesn’t mean anyone will watch it.” [31:31]
The No Film School Podcast