How Apple’s New Short Film Pushes the Filmmaking Limits with iPhone 16 Pro

It is a weird, wonderful feeling to see a short film that appears to have been shot with a $50,000 cinema rig—only to discover that it was filmed on a phone. And that is precisely what happened with Apple’s new short film, Big Man. It was shot completely on the iPhone 16 Pro. Yep, the phone. And no, it does not resemble a “phone video.”

Big Man features Stormzy, the UK music legend, and is helmed by Oscar-winning director Aneil Karia. The sweet, honest story itself is about a burnt-out artist who finds himself accidentally on a road trip with two children. But come on, why are people actually talking about it? The aesthetics. It looks smooth, cinematic, and refreshingly up close and personal for something not shot on a traditional film setup.

Apple has gone all in on its “Shot on iPhone” push before, but this short film is a watershed moment. It demonstrates just how far smartphone cameras have progressed, particularly when you give them to actual storytellers. And with the proliferation of the best AI video generator software tools, there is obviously a larger movement afoot: technology is altering the way that stories are told.

Apple’s New Short Film Proves Filmmaking with iPhone 16 Pro is Possible

Some features were particularly noteworthy in the behind-the-scenes material. To begin with, Cinematic Mode in 4K at 120 fps. That is what provided us with those slow-motion, dreamy scenes such as the one involving the trampoline, that truly resemble movie theater fare. And then there is Apple ProRes Log. That enabled the team to color grade the film with total creative control, which is how they achieved those deep tones even under low lighting conditions.

The size of the iPhone also came into play. Rather than using big rigs and cranes, the crew could film in tight spaces such as arcades or cars, without being constricted. It made everything feel rawer, more real. This is not merely a technical victory; this is a creative victory.

We are at a point where filmmaking is getting much more accessible. From phones such as the iPhone 16 Pro to top-of-the-line AI video creator software coming along, creators are finding new ways to try stuff out, get things wrong, and finally get something done. No blockbuster budget. No studio approval. Just an idea, a tool, and some grit.

I saw Big Man not expecting too much. But I got drawn in! Not only by the movie, but by how professional it looked. I had to keep reminding myself that it was filmed on a phone. That is impressive. Does not matter if it is a short film or something done using the greatest AI video generator, the equipment is obviously keeping up with our imagination. And being real, that makes the future of cinema feel more open than ever.

[via nofilmschool; Image credits: Apple]

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