A "short movie" can also be referred to as a "short film," "short subject," "micro-movie," "miniature film," "compact cinema," "brief flick," "tiny feature," "minute motion picture," "small screen gem," "pocket-sized picture," "bite-sized cinema," "abbreviated film," "instant animation," "little movie," and "small-scale spectacle." These terms are often used to describe films that are less than 40 minutes in length and are typically made by independent filmmakers or film students. Short films are often used to showcase a director's talent, experiment with new storytelling techniques, or serve as a proof-of-concept for a feature-length film.