A film from start to finish, in 48 hours!

The 48-Hour Film Project began in 2001 with one crazy idea — to try to make a film in its entirety, from scriptwriting to filming to post-production — all within 48 hours. The big question at the Project’s inception of course, was, “Will a film made in 48 hours even be watchable?” 

That question has been answered a multitude of times in the years that followed with a resounding “Yes!”. Eight years later, and with more than 150 competitions that have taken place around the world, the length and breadth of filmmaking that the festival has produced is truly staggering. Their smallest team consisted of a one-person team that set up the camera and then ran around to be ‘onscreen’.

The largest team was in Albequerque, which consisted of 116 people and 30 horses. The Project has had more than 9,000 participating teams over the years, and at the average of 15 people per team, that is an approximate number of 1,30,000 people who have answered the call to make a film and do it fast.

Through its festival/competition, the Project encourages filmmakers and would-be filmmakers to get out there and make movies. The tight deadline of 48 hours puts the focus squarely on the filmmakers—emphasising creativity and teamwork skills.

At the kick-off event, the committee will draw a character, a prop and a line of dialogue out of a hat. These elements must appear in your film in some way. All teams will have the same required elements. The genres include Buddy Film, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy and ten others. Within 48 hours, your film must be complete. Preeti Gopalkrishnan, the Mumbai producer, is at the helm of affairs at this year’s Project.

The Project has been open for submissions only for four days, but has already garnered more than twenty entries, according to Gopalkrishnan. “In a project like this, the process is the most important thing. The excitement and enjoyment that accompanies the production of an entire film within 48 hours is incomparable.”

Gopalkrishnan urges budding filmmakers to work on the quality of their submissions, and to approach oft-filmed issues and topics with a fresh point of view.

The winning film from Mumbai will be chosen by a distinguished jury panel, including Amol Palekar, Manish Jha and Dolly Thakore, among others. Mumbai’s best film will go up against films from around the world for the title of “Best 48 Hour Film of 2010” and the chance to be screened at Cannes 2011 Short Film Corner.

To participate or find out more about the guidelines, visit www.48hourfilm.com/mumbai