Ottawa’s reputation as Film Challenge City continues with
the inaugural Ottawa edition of the 48 Hour Film Project. The 48
Film Project, though, is a global film challenge that dares filmmakers throughout
the world to conceive, shoot, and complete a short film within forty-eight
hours. Winners from each city move on to the big Filmapalooza event, which
happens in Hollywood this year! Ten finalists then move on to a special
screening at Cannes! Going from The Mayfair to Hollywood to Cannes is a pretty
exciting trip!
There’s a good range of stuff to be seen, as the teams came
up with creative ways to use their randomly-picked genres (it could be anything
from horror to westerns) and the mandatory catch criteria that ensures films
are made in the given time frame. This year’s criteria sees each film include a
researcher named Andrew or Agnes Angstrom, some flowers, and the line, “They’re
here.” Or “They’re here!”
if it’s a horror flick. It all depends how the creative juices were flowing
when the teams first received the tools.
All the films will screen at The Mayfair on Saturday, July 19th
at 1:00 pm regardless of whether the teams finished on time or succumbed to sleep. (Only films submitted within the forty-eight hour time frame are eligible for awards.) The screening also includes some outtakes, Q&As, and other
footage/interviews from participants, along with the dolling out of all the
prizes. What will win?
Hope to see you there!
Oh, and if you’re eager to test your talents in the Ottawa’s
next film challenge, SPARTA is accepting registrations. This one has a big cash
prize, so don’t be hasty! Visit: http://www.spartafilmchallenge.com/