Means to choose short film (4,4)

I believe the answer is:

free will

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'means to choose' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'short film' is the wordplay.
'short' means to remove the last letter.
'film' becomes 'Free Willy' (1994 film).
'freewilly' with its last letter taken off is 'FREE-WILL'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for free will that I've seen before include "Unrestricted choice" , "discretion" , "Ability to change future" , "ability to act without direction" , "Power of acting unconstrainedly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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