der
Kurzfilm
🎬 What does "der Kurzfilm" mean?
A Kurzfilm is, as the name suggests (kurz = short, Film = film), a film of short duration. There's no strict definition of maximum length, but it's often considered to be under 30, 45, or 60 minutes. Kurzfilme (plural) cover all genres, from animation to documentaries to experimental forms. They are often shown at film festivals, screened before main features in cinemas, or distributed online.
Since the base word "Film" is masculine (der Film), the compound noun "Kurzfilm" is also masculine: der Kurzfilm.
🧐 Grammar of "der Kurzfilm" in Detail
The noun "Kurzfilm" is masculine. Here is its declension:
| Case | Article | Noun | (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Kurzfilm | (the short film) |
| Genitive | des | Kurzfilms / Kurzfilmes | (of the short film) |
| Dative | dem | Kurzfilm | (to/for the short film) |
| Accusative | den | Kurzfilm | (the short film) |
| Case | Article | Noun | (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Kurzfilme | (the short films) |
| Genitive | der | Kurzfilme | (of the short films) |
| Dative | den | Kurzfilmen | (to/for the short films) |
| Accusative | die | Kurzfilme | (the short films) |
Example Sentences
- Dieser Kurzfilm hat beim Festival einen Preis gewonnen.
(This short film won an award at the festival.) - Wir schauen uns heute Abend eine Reihe von Kurzfilmen an.
(We are watching a series of short films tonight.) - Die Regisseurin ist bekannt für ihre experimentellen Kurzfilme.
(The director is known for her experimental short films.) - Im Kino lief vor dem Hauptfilm ein lustiger Kurzfilm.
(A funny short film was shown in the cinema before the main feature.)
💡 How to use "Kurzfilm"?
The term "Kurzfilm" is mainly used in contexts related to film, cinema, festivals, and media.
- Film Industry & Festivals: The term is central here. There are specific categories and competitions for Kurzfilme.
- Education: Short films are often analyzed and produced in film schools or media courses (Filmschulen, Medienkurse).
- Everyday Language: People talk about a Kurzfilm they watched (e.g., online, on TV, in the cinema).
Compared to Spielfilm (feature film) or Langfilm (long film), Kurzfilm explicitly denotes the limited duration. While a Clip or Video can also be short, "Kurzfilm" usually implies a stronger narrative or artistic ambition.
🧠 Mnemonics to Remember
Article Mnemonic: Think of der Film (the film). A Kurzfilm is like its little brother – both are masculine: der Kurzfilm.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word itself tells you: It's a film (Film) that is short (kurz). Imagine a story told quickly, in a 'curt' way – kurz sounds a bit like 'curt'.
🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Kurzer Film (short film)
- Short (Anglicism, often used at festivals)
- Filmchen (diminutive, rather colloquial, 'little film')
⚠️ Be careful: A Trailer is also short, but it promotes a longer film and isn't an independent short film in the artistic sense. A Musikvideo (music video) is also short but primarily focuses on the music.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Kurzfilm schlechte Laune?
(Why is the short film in a bad mood?)
Weil er ständig unterbrochen wird, bevor er richtig angefangen hat!
(Because it's always interrupted before it has properly started!)
📜 Poem about the Kurzfilm
Der Kurzfilm
Keine Zeit für langes Warten,
(No time for long waits,)
startet schnell in seinem Garten.
(starts quickly in its garden [of ideas].)
Eine Idee, ein Bild, ein Ton,
(An idea, an image, a sound,)
erzählt Geschichten, kurz und schön.
(tells stories, short and beautiful.)
Mal lustig, traurig, mal ganz schrill,
(Sometimes funny, sad, sometimes quite shrill,)
der Kurzfilm steht selten still.
(the short film rarely stands still.)
In Minuten tief berührt,
(Deeply touching within minutes,)
hat uns kompakt verführt.
(it has captivated us compactly.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin ein Film, doch nicht sehr lang,
(I am a film, but not very long,)
mein Auftritt dauert keinen ganzen Sang.
(my appearance doesn't last a whole song [= long time].)
Auf Festivals werd' ich oft gezeigt,
(I'm often shown at festivals,)
hab meine Kunst in Kürze aufgereicht.
(I've presented my art in brevity.)
Was bin ich? / What am I?
Lösung / Solution: der Kurzfilm
✨ Other Information
Word Composition:
The word "Kurzfilm" is a compound noun, composed of:
Trivia:
- The Academy Awards (Oscars) have specific categories for Best Live Action Short Film, Best Animated Short Film, and Best Documentary Short Subject.
- Many famous directors (Regisseure) started their careers by making short films.
- Online platforms like YouTube or Vimeo have become crucial distribution channels for Kurzfilme.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Kurzfilm?
The noun "Kurzfilm" is masculine. The correct article is der. So you say: der Kurzfilm (nominative), des Kurzfilms (genitive), dem Kurzfilm (dative), den Kurzfilm (accusative). The plural is die Kurzfilme.