The Rise of Short Films in India: Why OTT Platforms Are Betting Big on Shorts

A few years ago, short films in India were seen largely as calling cards—experimental exercises for film school graduates or indie creators hoping to transition to feature filmmaking. Today, that perception has dramatically changed. Short films are no longer just stepping stones; they have become a thriving format with their own audience, aesthetic, and economic model.

With the rapid rise of OTT platforms in India, short films have moved from the fringes of digital culture to the centre of serious content investment. Platforms like Netflix, Amazon MiniTV, Disney+ Hotstar, JioCinema, and YouTube channels such as Terribly Tiny Tales, Pocket Films, and Royal Stag Barrel Select have made shorts more accessible, visible, and monetisable than ever before.

At the Indian Film Institute, we view this as a defining shift in the landscape of Indian storytelling. This article explores why short films are gaining traction, how OTT platforms are driving this trend, and what it means for the next generation of Indian filmmakers.

Why Are OTT Platforms Investing in Short Films?

1. Low-Risk, High-Impact Storytelling

Short films offer a cost-effective way for OTT platforms to produce and test new content. With limited budgets, shorter production schedules, and fewer resources, platforms can greenlight more projects with greater creative freedom. At the same time, the storytelling impact can be just as strong—if not stronger—than full-length features, especially in emotionally charged, socially relevant, or concept-driven narratives.

2. Viewer Preferences Are Shifting

Indian audiences, particularly urban and mobile-first users, are showing a clear preference for shorter, bite-sized content. Attention spans are fragmented, and audiences are more likely to sample a 10–20-minute film than commit to a two-hour feature. Short films meet this demand by offering immediate engagement, complete arcs, and emotional payoffs within a condensed time frame.

3. Talent Discovery and Testing Ground

OTT platforms use short films to discover new talent—actors, directors, writers, editors, and even composers. Creators who make a mark with a short often get picked up for web series, branded campaigns, or feature development deals. For platforms, short films are a scouting tool that comes with measurable audience data.

4. Expanding Genre and Voice Diversity

Unlike mainstream cinema, where commercial viability often dictates content choices, short films provide space for unconventional narratives, experimental genres, regional dialects, and underrepresented voices. OTT platforms are actively curating diverse libraries of shorts to attract niche audiences, build credibility, and demonstrate inclusivity.

The Most Prominent Platforms Betting on Shorts

1. Netflix India

Through its Take Ten initiative and anthologies like Lust Stories, Ghost Stories, and Ajeeb Daastaans, Netflix has invested heavily in shorts, especially those by emerging filmmakers. The platform sees shorts as a way to highlight social issues, build partnerships with directors, and maintain a pipeline of creative talent.

2. Amazon MiniTV

Free-to-watch with the mobile-first appeal, MiniTV regularly features short films in genres like romance, drama, and thriller. Its partnerships with production houses and indie creators have led to a steady stream of relatable, youth-focused shorts that perform well across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities.

3. Disney+ Hotstar

Hotstar’s short film catalogue includes both commissioned works and curated independent content. The platform uses shorts to strengthen its content mix and test out new genres before investing in larger productions.

4. YouTube and Branded Channels

Independent channels like Terribly Tiny Tales, Pocket Films, Large Short Films, and Humara Movie have built large subscriber bases by consistently releasing high-quality shorts. These platforms often act as incubators, providing the visibility and traction that OTT giants later build on.

5. JioCinema and MX Player

These platforms are expanding their short-form content offerings, often tying in thematic releases with festivals, national days, or social campaigns. Their growing reach across non-metro markets makes them a promising avenue for short filmmakers looking for mass visibility.

What’s Driving Audience Interest?

1. Relatability and Realism

Many of India’s most-watched short films explore day-to-day dilemmas, intimate relationships, workplace scenarios, or generational clashes—often with minimal melodrama. Their realism and relatability make them easy to connect with, particularly for younger viewers.

2. Social Relevance

Short films are increasingly used to address subjects that mainstream media often avoids: gender identity, mental health, caste dynamics, domestic abuse, LGBTQ+ narratives, or environmental issues. These stories carry weight and attract viewers seeking more meaningful content.

3. Quick Gratification

The 10 to 20-minute format provides instant emotional payoff. Whether it's laughter, surprise, tension, or empathy, short films deliver their impact swiftly, making them ideal for commuting, lunch breaks, or downtime between longer shows.

4. Visual Innovation

With fewer commercial constraints, short films often explore inventive visual storytelling techniques—non-linear narratives, minimal dialogue, single-location setups, and experimental cinematography. For a digitally native audience used to high visual standards, this creativity stands out.

Opportunities for Student and Indie Filmmakers

The rise of short films is particularly good news for emerging creators in India. Here’s why:

• Entry-Level Access: Making a high-quality short film is far more feasible than a feature, especially with access to affordable equipment, crowdfunding, and peer networks.

• Festival Visibility: Shorts are highly favoured in Indian and international film festivals. Selections at Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI), Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF), or even Clermont-Ferrand can lead to wider distribution.

• Monetisation Pathways: YouTube monetization, licensing to OTT platforms, or branded collaborations can provide actual revenue for short films that gain traction.

• Showreel and Career Boost: A well-made short often acts as a portfolio piece, leading to script deals, assistant director roles, or web series opportunities.

• Collaborative Learning: Students often use shorts to experiment with cinematography, sound design, and editing styles—essential training in a low-risk environment.

What Indian Filmmakers Should Keep in Mind

1. Strong concept is everything in a short film; there’s no room for filler. A single strong idea, twist, or emotional moment must drive the narrative.

2. High production value still matters even if you are shooting on a budget, sound quality, lighting, framing, and color grading must be treated professionally. Audiences will not forgive technical sloppiness.

3. Don’t overexplain let visuals and performances do the talking. Short films work best when they show, not tell.

4. Think festival and OTT from the start, decide early whether your short is aimed at festival circuits or online release. Each platform has different expectations in terms of length, theme, and tone.

5. Embrace Collaboration Short films are excellent spaces to work with peers from film schools, writing programs, or theatre circles. Build teams that care about the story.

The Short Film Era Has Arrived

Short films in India have transitioned from side projects to serious storytelling vehicles. OTT platforms have recognised their value, not just as snackable content, but as meaningful expressions of identity, creativity, and emotion.

As audience appetite for smart, compact cinema grows, so too do the opportunities for new voices to emerge.

At the Indian Film Institute, we encourage students and creators to treat the short film format with the seriousness it deserves. Whether your goal is expression, experimentation, or a stepping stone to larger work, the short film is a powerful medium, and now is its moment.