Press Release – 48 Hours Film Competition

Registrations at 48hours.co.nz

HP48HOURS filmmaking competition owner Ant Timpson this year introduces a new award for the truly brave: Ant’s Solo/Duo Team Award

Timpson says: “This year, I will be giving an award to the best film from the courageous teams that enter as a solo or a duo team. Each year these people push themselves to the utter limits, using every skill set they have and losing precious brain cells from the lack of sleep. I will be putting up $1000 for the winning film from this sub-group of extreme film-makers.”

Organisers are also seeking more entries from school teams and are offering a special schools deal: enter two teams for the price of one. Here’s a video to explain:

https://vimeo.com/266223383

In another incentive for entrants, competition sponsor HP is giving away the services of one of three top industry professionals over the 48-hour weekend. Teams can choose from a scriptwriter on Friday, a stunt crew on Saturday or a VFX artist on Sunday.

Now in its 16th year, HP48HOURS is the longest-running and biggest short film festival in New Zealand. It is considered an incubator for the New Zealand film industry. The competition is inclusive, exhilarating and creative. The organiser and the judges embrace experimentation and challenge. Here are some 48 Hour veterans who have thrived in the competition and are running their own NZ production companies.

“When I first entered 48 about 11 years ago, it was something that really helped me get started into filmmaking. Now I run my own video production company that employs a full-time production team. The 48Hours has definitely been instrumental in pushing my love of filmmaking.” Calvin Sang – Eyes and Ears

“As out-of-towners for our first 48Hours in 2010, watching our shitty little film on a big screen in front of a packed out heat was huge. Eight years, and 8 x 48Hours later, two of us are now pursuing careers in the independent film world. It’s in no small part thanks to 48 Hours, and the confidence the competition gave us to keep creating content through our production company.”

Finn O’Connor – Couch Kumara

And Ryan Cooper of Muk Puddy, an animation team, says: “competing in 48Hours was a crash course in trusting one’s gut, allowing the best ideas to float to the top and leaving egos at the door. Animation is tough – and even tougher when restricted to such a short time frame – so there was no room for second-guessing or chest puffing, it was a case of letting everyone do what they were good at and that is something we’ve carried over into our business. Work with talented folks we trust, and trust them to do what they’re good at.”

“Ruth and I entered our first 48-Hours together in 2008 with Traces of Nut – that year we won best-disqualified film, we went on to make many 48hour films together before taking out the National prize with Traces of Nut in 2013. We went from project to project (including running the HP48hours competition) and we now have our own production company, working on Television series, films and web videos.” Ness Patea and Ruth Korver – Useful Media

In other news, the Wellington Final returns to the Embassy Theatre in June.

The nationwide weekend competition is set for May 11-13. Filmmaking teams have to write, shoot, edit and score a short film from one to five minutes duration. Last year 563 teams stretched their talents and their friendships to the limit in this pressure cooker for creativity.

Prizes are substantial and offer worthwhile incentives to winners to further their filmmaking careers. The prize pool contains $100k in cash & services – full list to be announced. Winners are decided by a panel of international judges. Longer-term benefits arise from of the talents of participants being put on show to established industry players as well as the public. All of the films are available to view on the HP48HOURS website, which has passed the milestone of 100 million views.

HP48HOURS key dates:

Registrations close: May 9 (midnight)

Competition weekend: May 11-13

City Heats: May 21 City Finals: June 1

Grand Final: July

#48hoursnz

website: 48hours.co.nz

Facebook: 48Hours

Twitter: HP48HOURS

View past 48HOURS films here: HP48hours screening room

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