Since part of my project requires creating a social media page to promote my short film, I wanted to research how other short films and filmmakers present themselves online. Instagram seems to be the most common platform for this because it is very visual and works well for sharing posters, teasers, and behind-the-scenes content. I looked at four different accounts: @thepullfilm, @meowshortfilm, @still.life.short.film, and @livbfilm. Each one showed a slightly different approach to promoting a film and building a recognizable visual identity.
Media text: The Pull
Social media tool: Instagram (@thepullfilm)
This instagram account posts a mix of shots from the film, promotional posters, historical imagery, and behind-the-scenes production photos. One of the most noticeable posts is a bold black-and-white poster featuring a hand gripping a rope with the title The Pull and the phrase “A Short Film Coming Soon.” This type of post works as an announcement and immediately introduces the tone of the project. I liked it because it was simple, the tittle is ironic based on the content the account has, showcasing multiple scenes of pulling a rope. Other posts include images of the camera crew filming scenes, actors on set, and location images that relate to the film’s historical setting in 1987. The page also shows group photos of extras and background actors, which helps give a sense of the film’s scale and environment.
The branding here is actually really strong because everything looks consistent. A lot of the images are darker or black and white, which makes the page feel serious and cinematic. Even the fonts used in the poster match the tone of the story they are trying to tell. The feed feels like it belongs to the same project rather than random photos thrown together. The darker color palette and dramatic imagery help communicate the mood of the film immediately and time period they wanted to base it on.
This page helped me realize that consistency is important. For my own film page, I want everything to match the tone of my psychological thriller. That probably means darker lighting, dramatic shots, and a poster that introduces the concept early on. If someone opens the page, they should instantly understand the vibe of the film. I feel like it should also be very like clear shots, I want to make my protagonist mysterious and high end like a classy guy (please tell me you see the vision). Something like this:
Media text: MEOW
Social media tool: Instagram (@meowshortfilm)
The MEOW account posts a lot of teaser clips, close-up shots of characters, and behind-the-scenes photos from filming. Many of their posts highlight the main character with dramatic lighting and strong emotions, like an indie look. They also share small moments from the film that tease the story without fully revealing what happens through some reels which I thought was cool. Some posts even talk about the casting process or show moments from production. One thing I noticed on the page was that not every post is just a scene from the film. Some posts include random-looking text graphics, like the one that says “From the Yard to the Arthouse.” At first I didn’t really understand what they meant because they look different from the actual film shots. But after looking at more of the posts, I realized these are probably articles, reviews, or features about the film.
Feed: Reels dedicated to teasers:
This page stands out because of its bold color scheme. A lot of the posts use strong yellows, reds, and darker tones that match the emotional and dramatic style of the film. The lighting and color grading stay consistent across the posts, which makes the whole feed feel connected. Even when they post behind-the-scenes content, it still matches the aesthetic of the film.
What I liked about this account is how the visual aesthetic matches the film’s style, the images feel intentional instead of random shots put together. For my own page, I want to post things like teaser shots, close-ups of the character, and visuals that match the mood of the story. This also helps build curiosity without giving away the whole plot. For my own page, I might not have articles written about my film, but I could do something similar by posting updates about the production process, announcements, or milestones during filming.
Media text: Still Life
Social media tool: Instagram (@still.life.short.film)
This account was honestly the most helpful and coolest to look at for me because it shows a lot of behind-the-scenes content and the development process of the film, which is exactly what I have to do. Some posts include cinematic shots from the film, while others show filming days, camera setups, and production moments. What really stood out were the story highlights labeled “poster,” “on set,” “prep,” and “inspiration.” These show things like designing the poster, location scouting, and planning scenes before filming even started. I thought this was such a fun add and it's like getting personal in away documenting the whole process behind the scenes. Butttt If I want to go for a professional look I don't know if this can still be applied...
- look how cute these highlights areeee
The branding here focuses on showing the filmmaking journey. The page still keeps a consistent cinematic look with soft lighting and natural tones, but it also shows the creative process behind the film. Instead of only posting finished visuals, they show preparation, design work, and filming moments.
This account gave me a lot of ideas because it shows things I could actually post while making my film. For example, I could share my storyboard, pictures from location scouting, or props that appear in the film. Showing these steps makes the project feel more real and lets people see how the film is coming together. YAYY!!!
Looking at these accounts helped me realize that promoting a film on social media isn’t just about posting the finished product. It’s about building a visual identity and showing the process of making the film. Most of these pages combine shots from the film, teaser visuals, behind-the-scenes content, and updates about the project.
For my own Instagram page, I want to combine these ideas by posting teaser images, character shots, behind the scenes photos, and production updates. Since my film is a psychological thriller, I’ll probably keep the visuals darker and more dramatic so the mood of the page matches the mood of the story. I'm still deciding if adding a story like location scouting would ruin the aesthetic I am going for, but we will see! I need to start my page soon, so stay tuned!
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