Features might get all the glitzy attention, but short films are the backbone of the cinematic world. From Martin Scorsese (“The Big Shave,” 1967) to Wes Anderson (“Bottle Rocket,” 1994) to ...

The prevailing wisdom is this: don’t do it. “It’s insane,” they’ll say. “A waste of money and time and resources,” they’ll whisper. Don’t make that short film. Don’t go to film festivals. Don’t pour ...