National Short Film Day2026 · Date · History
Film Movement states that it founded National Short Film Day in 2019 and first observed it on December 28, 2019; National Day Calendar records the annual December 28 rule and the Lumière-anniversary rationale.
About National Short Film Day
National Short Film Day is observed on December 28 to celebrate short-form cinema and its history.
Film Movement states that it founded the observance in 2019 and marked the first National Short Film Day on December 28, 2019.
Why National Short Film Day matters
The day highlights short films as a distinct form of storytelling, from fiction and animation to documentary work.
Its December 28 date is framed by the creator and registry as a historical cinema anniversary, not as a government or statutory designation.
History of National Short Film Day
Film Movement founded National Short Film Day in 2019.
Film Movement says the first observance took place on December 28, 2019.
The date commemorates December 28, 1895, when Auguste and Louis Lumière presented a program of short films to a paying public audience in Paris.
National Day Calendar records Film Movement’s 2019 registration and annual December 28 proclamation.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Film Movement
Film Movement states directly that it founded National Short Film Day in 2019.
Film Movement / National Day Calendar
Film Movement’s 2019 National Short Film Day creation and National Day Calendar registration/proclamation
First documented observance
Film Movement says it celebrated the first observance on December 28, 2019.
Film Movement
Film Movement maintains current first-party National Short Film Day material and programming.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
2 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe National Short Film Day
Watch a curated program of short films from filmmakers or distributors with legitimate viewing rights.
Explore shorts from different genres, countries and production traditions.
Support filmmakers by using authorized screenings, festivals, libraries or licensed platforms.
When sharing clips or stills, respect copyright, licensing and platform rules.
National Short Film Day Facts
National Short Film Day is observed on December 28.
Film Movement identifies itself as the founder of the day in 2019.
The first observance is documented as December 28, 2019.
The date refers to the December 28, 1895 Lumière public film program in Paris.
The observance is a creator/registry-defined cinema day, not a statutory holiday.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Film Movement Plus — National Short Film Day (opens in a new tab)
Creator First Party
National Day Calendar — National Short Film Day (opens in a new tab)
Observance Registry
National Day Calendar — proclamation record (opens in a new tab)
Observance Registry
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is National Short Film Day?
28 December The documented recurrence rule is: 28 December.
Does National Short Film Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is National Short Film Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United States / Film Movement-founded informal cinema observance registered through National Day Calendar. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes National Short Film Day?
The reviewed sources identify Film Movement / National Day Calendar as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as Film Movement. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as Film Movement.
Is National Short Film Day international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to United States. Its fuller verified scope is: United States / Film Movement-founded informal cinema observance registered through National Day Calendar.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-28.
When is National Short Film Day?
It is observed on December 28 each year.
Who founded National Short Film Day?
Film Movement states that it founded the observance in 2019.
When was the first observance?
Film Movement identifies December 28, 2019 as the first National Short Film Day.
Why is it on December 28?
The date commemorates the December 28, 1895 public Lumière film program in Paris, according to Film Movement and the registry record.
Other observances on December 28
These observances are also listed on December 28, 2026.
Proclamation Day
South Australia’s current Public Holidays Act 2023 names 26 December as the Proclamation Day holiday, while the History Trust of South Australia documents 28 December 1836 as the first vice…
The Holy Innocents, Martyrs
The USCCB identifies 28 December as the Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs.