Published: June 7, 2019 | Last Updated: June 7, 2025
How Long Should a Feature Film Be for a Festival?
Feature film length for festivals usually falls between 75 and 125 minutes, with 90 minutes widely considered the sweet spot. While many festivals set the minimum at 40 to 60 minutes, shorter features are rare. Films over 130 minutes are more challenging to program and less likely to be selected, especially by mid-sized festivals with limited time slots.
What Counts as a Feature Film?
There’s no single definition of a “feature,” but most major festivals define it as a film that runs at least 40–60 minutes, including credits. The Academy sets the bar at 40 minutes, but few festivals consider that enough time for a standalone feature experience. Here’s a breakdown of how major festivals define feature-length:
| Festival | Minimum Feature Runtime (incl. credits) |
|---|---|
| Sundance (USA) | 50 minutes or more |
| Cannes (France) | More than 60 minutes |
| Toronto – TIFF (Canada) | 60 minutes or more |
| Berlinale (Germany) | 60 minutes or more |
| SXSW (USA) | Over 40 minutes |
| Tribeca (USA) | 40 minutes or more |
Festivals usually define short films as the inverse: for example, Sundance shorts are under 50 minutes, TIFF shorts are 40 minutes or less, and Tribeca defines shorts as under 40 minutes. If your film hovers around these thresholds, check both short and feature rules carefully.
Unlike most festivals, Cannes disallows mid-length films between 15 and 60 minutes. Those runtimes don’t qualify as shorts or features in their system, so a 55-minute film would be rejected outright. Always check a festival’s specific timing rules before submitting.
Programmers Prefer 75–125 Minutes
A review of dozens of top festival lineups shows that most selected feature films run between 75 and 125 minutes. Films that fall below this range often struggle to be programmed as standalone features, while films above 130 minutes may require extra screening time and risk audience fatigue.
Here’s a general rule of thumb based on programming experience:
- Sweet spot: Around 90 minutes
- Minimum viable: About 75 minutes
- Max practical: About 120–130 minutes
Why this range? Most festivals build schedules around 90–120 minute programming blocks, often followed by short Q&As. A film that fits neatly into that window gives programmers flexibility without cutting into the next slot.
Very Short or Very Long Films Are Harder to Program
Films under 75 minutes may feel too short to anchor a full screening. Unless they’re paired with a short or presented as part of a special section (like experimental or hybrid features), they often get passed over. On the other end, features over 130 minutes are harder to slot into the schedule and are more likely to lose viewer attention, especially with first-time filmmakers.
Festivals like Sundance impose no upper limit, but that doesn’t mean it’s wise to go long. Runtime is a resource. Use it carefully.
Runtime by Genre
Some genres naturally skew shorter or longer, and festivals take that into account. Still, the overall range tends to stay within practical limits:
- Drama: 90–110 minutes
- Comedy: 80–100 minutes
- Documentary: 70–100 minutes
- Genre (horror, thriller, sci-fi): 80–95 minutes
- Experimental / art film: 60–90 minutes
Examples That Hit the Sweet Spot
Plenty of festival favorites land right near the 90-minute mark:
- Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012, Fox Searchlight) – 93 minutes
- The Rider (2017, Sony Pictures Classics) – 104 minutes
- Primer (2004, THINKFilm) – 77 minutes
These films made a strong impression without overstaying their welcome. Their runtimes supported their storytelling, not the other way around.
Summing Up
For most festivals, aim for 85–100 minutes. That’s the range programmers prefer, and it gives you enough space to tell a full story without overwhelming the schedule. Anything under 75 minutes is a risk unless paired or programmed as experimental. Anything over 130 will need to justify every minute. When in doubt, keep it tight. Make your runtime feel earned.
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