Short Film Screenplay Template for Google Docs

Perrault, La Fontaine, Mon Cul! - Short Film

Perrault, La Fontaine, Mon Cul! - Behind the scenes

Award-Winning Example

A Real Short Film Script

Before Netflix, there were shorts. Here's what I learned.

My shorts Perrault, La Fontaine, Mon Cul! and Ich Bin Eine Tata won awards at Clermont-Ferrand, the world's largest short film festival in the world (did I mention it's the largest?). Premier Métro played at festivals worldwide. That's how I got noticed, and that's how I landed my first feature.

Below is the full screenplay. This is what a produced short looks like. Use it as a reference.

Get the Full Screenplay (.doc)

What's Included

Everything You Need to Start Writing

This template comes pre-configured with industry-standard formatting, so you can focus on your story.

Professional Margins

1.5" left, 1" right, top, and bottom

Courier 12pt Font

Industry standard with proper line spacing

Sample Scene Format

Scene headings, action, dialogue examples

Title Page Included

Standard short film title page fields

Page Numbering

Starts on page 2, as per industry standard

Runtime Guide

1 page ≈ 1 minute of screen time

Example

What Your Script Will Look Like

Here's a sample scene showing proper short film formatting. Notice the tight action lines and minimal setup.

Short Film Format

INT. EMPTY APARTMENT - DAY

Sunlight cuts through dusty blinds. MAYA (20s) stands alone in the middle of the room, holding a single cardboard box.

She sets the box down. Opens it. Inside: a snow globe, a letter, a key.

MAYA

This is all that's left.

She picks up the snow globe. Shakes it. Watches the fake snow fall.

CUT TO:

Short Film Tips

Writing for the Short Form

Short films aren't shorter features. They require a different approach to storytelling.

Start Late, End Early

Short films don't have time for lengthy setups. Begin your scenes as late as possible, often mid-conversation or mid-action. End them the moment the dramatic point is made.

Limit Your Locations

Every new location costs time and money in production. For short films, aim for 1-3 locations maximum. Multiple scenes in the same location create visual continuity.

Trim Your Cast

Two or three characters are often enough for a powerful short. Each character represents a casting decision and screen time. Fewer characters means deeper development.

Embrace Visual Storytelling

Short films often work best with minimal dialogue. Use your action lines to tell the story visually. A glance, a gesture, an object can replace entire conversations.

How to Use

Get Started in 4 Steps

From template to finished script in minutes.

Open the Template

Click the button below to open the template in Google Docs. You'll see a sample short film page layout with all formatting pre-configured.

Make a Copy

Go to File → Make a copy to save your own version. Rename it with your project title. The original template stays unchanged for future use.

Replace the Sample Content

Delete the example scenes and start writing your own. The formatting styles are preserved. Just type your scene headings, action, and dialogue.

Install Screenplay Editor (Optional)

For automatic formatting, keyboard shortcuts, and export options, install our free Google Docs add-on. It makes writing faster and keeps your formatting consistent.

Short Film Screenplay Template