I believe that the reason why the ratio of short films that make money through more conventional channels of distribution and exhibition to those that do not, is diminutive because they are better off sticking to the methods of distribution that they know. Short film producing is to delicate to attempt to try anything cleave.
These are some examples of collections, copulations and anthologies of short films for DVD sales and internet downloads.....
http://www.cinema16.org/home.php
http://www.bfi.org.uk/education/teaching/movingshorts/
http://www.futureshorts.com/htmlViewer.php?id=15
http://www.raindance.co.uk/site/index.php?aid=720
http://shootingpeoplefilms.com/content/bvb1and2
http://www.shortfilmsdvd.com/
Most of these anthologies, compilation and collections have been put together in the same way. They take the top British or sometimes International short films of the present year and place them on the internet or one DVD for audiences to buy. This is popular thought for short filmmakers as it enables them to get their film onto disk, an achievement that only a few privileged filmmakers can share. It also proves a good method of distributing and making money from selling short films, as audiences do not mind paying out money if they are getting longer viewing pleasure in return. The filmmakers do not mind giving their films to these companies as they are simply advantaged to have their film on a good platform.
http://mubi.com/
On websites like Mubi, there is an obvious implication for shorts being offered alongside feature films for direct download. It is widely considered that short films are not even half as popular as features and so by placing them on a feature film website, it gives them the recognition that they would not necessarily get from the viewers, who would spend their time going onto a short film website such as the BBC or Film4. The implication is that the short films need to be near feature films in order to be recognised, seen and viewed. The company can use the shorts as freebies to their features, as they do many deals such as this American one; “Free Short Films + the Best of What’s in Theatres and Online!” Once again, the short filmmakers do not mind giving their films away for free, as this is not much different to any other website. This one however, gives their films away free on a much higher class platform, another great advantage.
