111+ Prompts for Short Film Ideas

Embarking on a cinematic journey doesn't require a Hollywood budget or a star-studded cast. Sometimes, all it takes is a spark of imagination and a camera to capture the unfolding story.

With themes that traverse alternate realities, uncharted futures, and untold histories, every prompt is a potential masterpiece in the making.

Let's explore the potential of short film ideas.

111+ Prompts for Short Film Ideas

Before we get into the shorts, let's give a little refresher on how to brainstorm for a short film and come up with ideas to film.

writing short films that actually connect with an audience and receives acclaim is hard. Short film comedy is a common route, and you can search top short films on youtube to see what people are currently connecting with.

Start with five pages and then expand. If you expand too much, your idea may not even be right for a short film. When you consider it, isn't an Instagram story a short film? Certainly, a skit is. Short films surround you. Which ones do you connect most with?

Short films are kind of a tricky path to follow. When we sit down to write, the natural inclination is to set up a huge story with a lot of characters, and great stakes, but that’s not really what successful short films are about.

A short movie idea needs to take us on an emotional journey, but we should never feel like the story is crammed into the allotted time.

The short film has to be able to stand alone.

In my opinion, the best short films take us on a fulfilling journey, that often happens "in the moment" so to speak.

That means, the story might play out in real-time, or close to real-time. When I’m sitting down to write a short film, I think about situations or moments that can tell a grander lesson but occur in real-time.

What are some scenarios from my own life? What are some events that happened to me that taught me lessons applicable to writing short films?

Chase your own life around for a bit. Do some self-reflection.

I like to mine my own life, and then add fantastical elements to the mix. Build your story out, accentuate the characters, find the crucial moments where we learn something.

And let the ideas to film take you where you want to go.

Fantasy Short Film Prompts

1. A street artist discovers their graffiti comes to life at sundown.
2. A young linguist discovers a hidden language that can control the elements.
3. A girl develops the power to jump into books and interact with the stories.
4. A small-town reporter discovers an underground movement to restore magic to the world.
5. A baker in a small town discovers their desserts make people relive their happiest memory.
6. A shy librarian finds out her library is a meeting point for fictional characters.
7. A woman can bring statues to life and learns about history from them.
8. A teacher finds an old scroll that teaches lost skills and ancient wisdom.
9. An ancient book in a small town library grants wishes, but at a cost.
10. A gardener discovers a portal to a parallel universe in an old potting shed.
11. A young witch comes of age and has to choose between good and evil.
12. A retired superhero is forced back into action when their grandchild discovers their secret.
13. A person can bring drawings to life, but they can't control them.
14. A historic pact between humans and dragons is threatened when a young dragon is taken.
15. A magical library where each book lets you live out the story inside.

Science Fiction Short Film Prompts

1. A person wakes up with a new tattoo that guides them to their soulmate.
2. A lonely inventor creates a robot companion that learns emotions too well.
3. A person discovers they are a character in a video game and starts noticing the glitches.
4. A world where every person's lifespan is visible as a countdown above their head.
5. A person stumbles upon a conspiracy that the aurora borealis is a gateway to another dimension.
6. A young coder builds a sentient program, and they work together to navigate the digital world.
7. A society where people can take a pill to forget their bad memories, but with unforeseen consequences.
8. An old lighthouse keeper discovers the light is a beacon for interdimensional ships.
9. A reality show where participants live as if they're in different historical periods, but it's actually real.
10. A person finds out they can switch between parallel universes but loses a memory each time.
11. A world where sleep is unnecessary, and the impact that has on society.
12. A pair of glasses that allows the wearer to see everyone's past lives.
13. A reality where people can exchange senses with each other.
14. A space colony is cut off from Earth and must evolve its own rules and society.
15. A reality where every person has a doppelgänger living in an alternate dimension.
16. A world where people can see 30 seconds into the future, but only when in danger.
17. A lonely astronaut on a space station starts receiving mysterious messages.
18. A virtual reality game becomes a little too real for a group of friends.
19. On a distant planet, a botanist discovers a plant that has properties of animal life.
20. A reality where dreams are a communal experience, shared with the whole world every night.
21. A second moon suddenly appears in the sky, altering tides and human behavior.
22. A small town’s inhabitants wake up to find they are the only people left on Earth.
23. A person develops the ability to teleport, but only to places they've seen in photographs.
24. An explorer finds a lost civilization that exists out of time.
25. An app developer creates a program that can predict the user’s future based on their data.
26. A scientist creates a serum that allows them to experience life as any creature they choose.
27. A world where every person can hear everyone else's thoughts.
28. An old camera takes pictures of what happened at that spot 24 hours in the future.
29. A person wakes up with a different superpower every day.
30. A man can communicate with machines and starts a tech revolution.
31. A world where lying is physically impossible.
32. A stranded alien befriends a reclusive artist to help it get home.
33. A man discovers his life is a story being written by an author in another dimension.
34. A person finds out they can control the weather with their emotions.
35. A person wakes up in a world where they are the last human and nature has reclaimed cities.
36. An app allows people to outsource their emotions, but at a personal cost.
37. A man receives a postcard from his future self warning of an impending crisis.
38. A student accidentally discovers a method for time travel in old textbooks.
39. A society where memories can be transferred like data, leading to a black market of experiences.
40. On a planet where nights last for years, one town never sees the sun, and the arrival of daylight reveals a hidden truth.
41. A character can travel through different dimensions by opening doors, but each comes with its own risks.

Mystery/Thriller Short Film Prompts

1. In a quiet town, every household receives a mysterious, unmarked package on the same day.
2. A couple discovers a strange board game that alters reality with each move.
3. A retired detective receives an anonymous letter each year on the anniversary of an unsolved case.
4. A couple learns that the city they live in is a giant experimental labyrinth.
5. A man finds a door in his basement that leads to an exact replica of his house, but with different inhabitants.
6. A struggling musician plays a tune that sets off a series of inexplicable events.
7. A photographer discovers their latest set of prints contain images of another world.
8. A person wakes up with a new tattoo that guides them to their soulmate.
9. A man can make people relive their most painful memory by shaking their hand.
10. A group of friends find a board game that controls the real world.
11. A teen discovers they can step into mirrors and travel to other people’s reflections.
12. A city where all advertising is banned and the effects it has on the population.
13. A therapist starts using a mysterious drug that allows them to enter their client's dreams.
14. A story of a secret underground network of libraries that hold the world's forbidden knowledge.
15. A man wakes up to find that he is the only person with a shadow.
16. A group of strangers are trapped in an elevator, only to realize they are part of a larger experiment.
17. A world where every person is born with a unique song that defines their life.
18. A society where people are assigned jobs based on their zodiac signs.
19. A town where every full moon, people swap lives with someone randomly.
20. A man starts receiving pieces of a strange map in the mail, leading to a cosmic puzzle.
21. Two strangers share their secrets during a city blackout, only to realize they know each other.
22. A group of kids creates a secret society in their neighborhood and stumbles upon an old mystery.
23. A time traveler accidentally changes a small event with huge consequences and tries to fix it.
24. A family heirloom carries memories of ancestors, witnessed by touching it.
25. A detective with the ability to communicate with birds solves crimes in a unique way.
26. A ghost trying to communicate with the new tenants to prevent a tragedy repeats itself.
27. A young genius invents a device to hear what plants are saying.
28. An introvert finds a mysterious radio that broadcasts conversations from alternate realities.
29. A writer's fictional characters start appearing in real life and only they can see them.
30. A world where children are born with tattoos that determine their destiny.
31. A painter realizes their paintings predict the future but alter it at the same time.
32. A world where shadows have a life of their own, separate from their owners.
33. A social media influencer wakes up one day to find they are completely invisible.
34. A person can switch lives with anyone they make eye contact with for 24 hours.
35. A child’s imaginary friend turns out to be a ghost from the past seeking closure.
36. A couple moves into a home where they live the same day over and over again.
37. A small village is protected by a creature that demands a strange yearly sacrifice.
38. An underground society lives beneath a city, unbeknownst to the people above.
39. A series of letters lead a young girl to an adventure beyond her imagination.
40. A mirror reflects an alternate version of the viewer, leading to an existential dialogue.
41. A woman inherits an old theater that shows films of people’s earliest memories.
42. A couple discovers a map inside a vintage suitcase leading to a surreal journey.
43. A group of elderly people at a retirement home start a detective agency.
44. A tour guide at a museum realizes the exhibits come alive at night.

Horror/Dystopian Short Film Prompts

1. A world where every person's lifespan is visible as a countdown above their head.
2. A society where people can take a pill to forget their bad memories, but with unforeseen consequences.
3. A mysterious fog rolls into a seaside town, leaving the inhabitants to fend off creatures within.
4. A story about the last tree on Earth and the people fighting to protect it.
5. A world where everyone's dreams are projected in public spaces as communal art.
6. A society where every adult must pass a comprehensive test to earn the right to have children.
7. A world where everyone is born with the knowledge of their death date.
8. A city where all advertising is banned and the effects it has on the population.
9. A world where sleep is unnecessary, and the impact that has on society.
10. A society where people are assigned jobs based on their zodiac signs.
11. In a world without color, a child is born with the ability to see the full spectrum.
12. A world where lying is physically impossible.
13. A world where art is the currency and artists are the most powerful figures.
14. A society where everyone must wear elaborate masks that reveal their true selves.
15. An app allows people to outsource their emotions, but at a personal cost.
16. A society where memories can be transferred like data, leading to a black market of experiences.
17. A society where people are judged and defined by their handwriting style.

Animated Short Film Ideas

These could be short film ideas for students or professionals. Think of these prompts for short films as leaping off points for your inspiration. They could be one-minute short films or 3 minute short films.

But to make them matter, you need to use a part of yourself in them and make sure they connect with people.

Whimsical & Heartwarming

1. A little boy's heart sinks as he watches his beloved balloon float away, but we follow the balloon's journey as it drifts through the city, encountering a variety of characters and situations before finding its way back to the boy in an unexpected and heartwarming way.
2. In a world made entirely of fluffy clouds, a young girl discovers a lonely, baby cloud who's terrified of raining. With kindness and encouragement, she helps the cloud overcome its fear and embrace its role in the water cycle.
3. A monster living under a child's bed is more afraid of the child than the child is of it, until they discover a shared love of comic books, sparking an unlikely friendship that bridges their differences.
4. An old, dusty teapot, forgotten on a shelf in an antique shop, suddenly springs to life when a curious customer picks it up. The teapot, filled with memories and stories, takes the customer on a magical journey through its past.

Action & Adventure

1. A group of intricately folded paper airplanes soar through the air, competing in a thrilling race across the city. They face a series of obstacles and challenges, from gusts of wind and curious birds to mischievous kids trying to swat them down.
2. A tiny knight, no bigger than a ladybug, bravely confronts a fearsome spider who has spun its web across his village, endangering its inhabitants. With courage and determination, the knight must overcome the spider to save his home.
3. A lost kitten wanders a futuristic city filled with strange creatures and advanced technology, finding an unlikely ally in a friendly robot who helps it navigate the unfamiliar environment and find its way back home.

Funny Short Film Ideas

1. A grumpy cactus living in a desolate desert despises everything and everyone, its prickly personality pushing away any potential friends. However, a persistent little bird with a cheerful disposition sees through the cactus's tough exterior and teaches it the importance of friendship.
2. When the lights go out, a group of playful shadows detach from their owners and embark on a wild adventure through the city. They cause mischief and mayhem, playing pranks and creating chaos wherever they go.
3. A seemingly ordinary meal in a bustling restaurant erupts into a full-blown food fight, with animated food items battling each other in a hilarious and chaotic free-for-all.

Thought-Provoking & Emotional

1. An empty swing set sways gently in the breeze, its stillness contrasting with the vibrant memories of the children who once played there. The scene evokes a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of childhood and the passage of time.
2. A single tear rolls down a person's face, carrying with it a wealth of emotions and memories. We follow the tear's journey, exploring the story behind its formation and the significance it holds for the individual.
3. In a world where artificial lights have dominated the night sky, a lone firefly struggles to survive. Its faint glow represents a fading memory of a more natural world, as it embarks on a desperate search to find others of its kind.

One-Minute Short Film Ideas

Sometimes, you want to make something that's entirely contained and as short as can be. Great ideas for short films can come in all shapes and sizes. They could be even just one minute short films.

Use the below prompts to see what stories you cane come up with that are just a page long.

Drama/Emotional:

1. In a world where physical books are forbidden, a lone bookstore owner safeguards their collection, and a curious young person stumbles upon the wonder of stories for the first time.
2. Two strangers on a crowded train share a fleeting but meaningful connection through a simple glance or a gesture of kindness.
3. An elderly person struggling with dementia experiences a sudden moment of clarity, recognizing a loved one through a familiar object or a cherished song.
4. A driver paused at a red light observes a series of poignant scenes unfolding in the cars around them, prompting reflections on the lives of strangers.
5. A visibly anxious musician pours their heart and soul into a crucial audition, their passion undeniable despite the uncertain outcome.

Experimental/Abstract:

1. A mesmerizing time-lapse captures the ceaseless movement of people and vehicles in a bustling city, set to a captivating soundtrack, exploring themes of human connection and the relentless passage of time.
2. A person cycles through a spectrum of emotions, each feeling vividly expressed through a transformation of their surroundings and a dramatic shift in the color palette.
3. The viewer is taken on a surreal and disorienting journey through a dreamscape, filled with ever-shifting landscapes and bizarre imagery, evoking the sensation of being lost within the subconscious.
4. A full minute of complete silence unfolds on screen, drawing attention to minute details and subtle expressions, challenging the viewer to find profound meaning in the quietest moments.

Comedy:

1. A montage of painfully awkward and laugh-out-loud moments from a disastrous date culminates in a completely unexpected and surprising twist.
2. A chain of increasingly absurd events is set in motion when a person receives an incorrect delivery, leading to a series of misunderstandings and comical chaos.
3. A person's attempt to have a simple phone conversation is hilariously derailed by a constant barrage of interruptions and distractions, escalating into a comedic frenzy.
4. A seemingly ordinary job interview takes a hilariously unexpected turn as the candidate and interviewer find themselves in a series of bizarre and amusing clashes.

Thriller/Suspense:

1. A lone figure walking at night becomes increasingly aware of an unseen presence following them, building a sense of dread and paranoia with each step.
2. A security camera captures a chilling and inexplicable anomaly or glitch in reality, hinting at a disturbing presence lurking just beneath the surface.
3. Trapped inside a phone booth, a person receives a menacing call, the unseen danger growing closer with every passing second.
4. A mysterious countdown timer appears on a screen without warning or explanation, creating a sense of mounting suspense and anticipation as it ticks closer to zero.

Summing Up Short Film Ideas

Hopefully, this wide array of hundreds of prompts for short films can take your portfolio to the next level.

Again, these are just loglines, you have to do the work to craft something special and moving in your own voice and with your own soul.

Let me know what you think in the comments.