Common Length Definitions
| Organisation | Feature threshold |
|---|---|
| Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | More than 40 minutes |
| Screen Actors Guild | At least 80 minutes |
| Many festivals | Set their own feature and short categories |
Always check the specific rules of the festival, award, or contract you're working with.
Typical Feature Lengths
- Many theatrical features run roughly 90 to 120 minutes.
- Epics and some Indian films run longer, sometimes with intervals.
- Animated features are often shorter.
- Documentary features vary widely.
Types of Feature Films
Narrative fiction
Scripted stories with actors.
Documentary
Full-length non-fiction.
Animated
Any animation technique.
Anthology
Several stories in one film.
Feature vs Short Film
- Longer runtime
- More complex structure
- Bigger crews and budgets
- Theatrical or streaming release
- Longer production schedules
- Different festival categories
The term's origin is explained in feature films meaning, and a full comparison with India's non-feature category in feature vs non-feature films.
Feature Film Production Support
A theatrical film production house in India can manage the scale of a feature. A film financing and packaging agency in India helps bring projects together. A feature film crew handles long schedules. In Bengaluru, a Bangalore long-schedule crew can support local shoots, and big releases may involve one of the largest film production houses in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a feature film?
A full-length film, usually defined by runtime thresholds set by organisations.
How long is a feature film?
The Academy uses more than 40 minutes; SAG has used 80 minutes; many features run 90–120 minutes.
Is a documentary a feature film?
A full-length documentary can be a feature documentary.
Do festivals use the same definitions?
No, festivals set their own categories; check rules.
Length Defines, Story Fills
What is a feature film? A full-length work defined by thresholds that vary by organisation. Check the rules that apply to you. For feature-scale production, talk to our feature team.
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