Each year since 2000, the Brooklyn Academy of Music's BAMcinématek has presented the latest edition of The World According to Shorts, featuring ten to twelve films from various countries. Qualifications include participation in a major European short film festival (the majority of films have been selected from the International Competition at Clermont-Ferrand's prestigious Festival du Court Metrage), and origination outside of the borders of the United States.
The program has introduced some of the best short films—and those who are responsible for them—to U.S. audiences (most are U.S. or New York premieres), thus giving the films a chance for broader exposure, while allowing audiences here the opportunity to witness innovations in the field, while vicariously experiencing another culture.
Past programs have included premieres of Oscar-nominated shorts, films subsequently selected to the Cannes Film Festival, and work by directors now noted for their feature films, e.g., David MacKenzie (Young Adam) and Hans-Petter Moland (The Beautiful Country).
The program draws an audience of cinephiles, film students, film teachers and film industry professionals, as well as representatives of the cultural consulates of the countries represented.
In 2004, The World According to Shorts was incorporated, and in 2006 was officially granted 501(c)-3 nonprofit status. The World According to Shorts' mission is to foster cross-cultural exchange, empathy and understanding in American audiences through the exhibition and distribution of critically-acclaimed short films from other countries.