Screenwriting : Whether successful short film could open the door for a feature film? by Stevan Šerban

Oculus started as a short, 2005 I think, eventually expanded into sucessful feature in 2013, it's pretty damn good too.

Same thing with Mama from 2013. They did a short first and then expanded on it for the feature. I also think Whiplash started as a short, which was more of a proof-of-concept to raise funding for the feature.

Definitely.

Must have been having a seniors moment... there's an even better and more recent example - Whiplash, short created to raise funds, feature gets nominated for Oscars...

If you're a multi I hyphenate then yes. If you're the writer/director or Writer/producer or preferably all 3. But if you're only the writer, the chances are very slim that a short will do much for you other than give you more experience.

Hmmm, good point Danny... I've sold a short script to a Producer to expand into a feature, but that's not quite Stevan's question either as the short exists only as a script.

What Danny said.

El Mariachi for Robert Rodriguez turned into Desperado and you can read all about it a great quick read called Rebel Without a Crew

El Mariachi esa already a feature

District 9 started as a short too.

Thanks for the insight guys… Rebel Without a Crew is a great read, Jeremy!

The people who did Beasts of the Southern Wild did a short film before that and were approached by a backer who would support whatever they decided to do next. That's like a one in a million thing that happened but it is proof that it can happen.

Is it possible that one successful short make that producers want to know what you have for feature movies? Sorry for my bad English!

Possible yes, but don't hinge your entire career on it. It's who you know way, way more than what you know in this business.