A comedy short film typically runs 5-12 pages and is defined by tight comedic narratives built around a single comic premise, a memorable character, or an escalating absurd situation that pays off in a punch-line ending.
Comedy shorts live or die on their premise — if you can't describe the funny in one sentence, it's not focused enough. The setup-punchline rhythm of the entire short should mirror the rhythm of individual jokes. Character-based humor travels better than reference-based humor. The comedian's rule of three applies to short structure: establish the pattern, repeat it, then break it. Physical comedy and visual gags work better in shorts than dialogue comedy because they're universal. The ending must be a punchline — the biggest laugh should come last. Avoid explaining the joke through character reactions.
Establish the comedic premise and character in the first page. Escalate the comic situation through 2-3 beats of increasing absurdity (3-8 pages). Pay off with a final gag that tops everything before it (1-2 pages). Total: 5-12 pages. Festival-ideal: 6-10 pages.
Start with the comic premise — write the logline first and make sure it makes people laugh in one sentence.
Give your protagonist a specific, relatable flaw that creates comedy naturally, not just funny situations around them.
Write the set pieces first — the three funniest scenes — then build the story to connect them.
Read your dialogue out loud. If it doesn't sound like how people actually talk, rewrite it.
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