For the first time ever, professional, amateur and enthusiast BC filmmakers can enter an international competition that sees participants write, direct, shoot and edit a short film in just 48 hours.
The 48 Hour Film Project is a global event that takes place in more than 100 cities/regions around the world each year. From Sept. 15-17, it will make its Okanagan debut with headquarters based in Vernon, BC. This is the first time the 48 Hour Film Project has been hosted in Western Canada.
“Atlantic Canada and Toronto are the only other places in the country that have held events,” says Harrison Coe, who is coproducing the 48 Hour Film Project Okanagan with Heath Fletcher. “We are especially excited to be able to hold this exciting celebration of film in lieu of our inaugural Sundog Festival of Arts and Culture in Vernon and BC Culture Days.”
The 48 Hour Film Project Okanagan begins with the Friday night kickoff event Sept. 15 at 5:30 p.m. at the Vernon Towne Theatre. Registered teams will draw the film genre out of a hat as well as the elements required for their respective films. Teams then have to write, shoot, direct and edit their short films throughout the weekend.
“Teams can come from anywhere in BC, but the stipulation is that someone needs to be in attendance at our kickoff event in Vernon, as that’s where they will pick out the genre for their film. Each film must also have a prop, character and line of script that is also provided at the kick-off event. Then they go make their film over the 48-hour period and upload and submit it on the Sunday night at 7:30 p.m.,” says Fletcher.
A panel of judges will review the films for their Artistic Merit, Technical Merit and Adherence to the Assignment. The judges’ panel is made up from a selection of industry professionals and experts. All films will be shown to the public on the big screen during the Sundog Festival of Arts and Culture and BC Culture Days at the Vernon Towne Theatre, Oct. 10 and 11, followed by the Best-Of Awards Night at the Towne Theatre Oct. 14.
More than a dozen awards are given—from Best Acting to Best Directing to the Best Use of Prop to the Audience Award to the top prize, Best Film. The Best Film will move on to Filmapalooza, the 48 Hour Film Project’s annual international film festival, which will be held in Lisbon, Portugal in 2024. A Grand Champion will be selected along with a few other entries to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner.
“It’s very exciting. Someone could red carpet their way from the Okanagan to Lisbon to Cannes,” says Coe.
“The community has been very receptive so far. We are thrilled to be able to utilize the Vernon Towne Theatre for the public screenings and awards and we have recently partnered with The Film Factory in Kelowna https://thefilmfactory.ca/, who have graciously offered an equipment rental discount to all registered competitors to help support them in their production planning along with some prizes as part of the film awards,” adds Fletcher.
For anyone wanting more information, in-person meet and greets have been organized by the organizers in the following three Okanagan cities:
● Kelowna: Thursday, Aug, 17, 5 to 7 p.m., at Rustic Reel Brewing Company, 760 Vaughan Ave.
● Vernon: Saturday, Aug. 19, 5 to 7 p.m., at Marten Brewing Co., 2933a 30th Ave.
● Penticton: Sunday, Aug. 20, 3 to 5 p.m., at Tempest Theatre & Film Society, 125 Eckhardt Ave. E.
Registration to the 48 Hour Film Project Okanagan is now open. For more information and to register, visit https://www.48hourfilm.com/okanagan