The 48 Hour Film Project is an intense weekend during which a team must make a movie – write the scenario, shoot, edit, and score it – in just 48 hours. On Friday night, filmmakers are assigned a genre (drama, comedy, western…), a character, a line of dialogue, and a prop. By Sunday night, the movie has to be done. It must last between 4 and 7 minutes (not including the credits).
The project started in Washington D.C., USA, in 2001. Since then, it has truly spread to the four corners of the globe. Filmmakers from Asia to Australia to the Middle East have had the pleasure of participating. In 2007, the project reached my hometown of Geneva, Switzerland.
The 48 Hour Film Project’s mission is to advance filmmaking and promote filmmakers. 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—emphasizing creativity and teamwork skills. While the time limit places an unusual restriction on the filmmakers, it is also liberating by putting an emphasis on “doing” instead of “talking”.
Who can participate? Professionals, amateurs, enthusiasts… Everyone!
In 2016, filmmakers made films in 150 cities around the world. 30 teams participated in Geneva this year and were given a choice of three genres: mute movie, war movie or anti-war movie.
Here were the required elements:
Character: Camille Fontaine, a comic book illustrator
Prop: a bicycle part
Line: “She was there a minute ago”
These 3 elements must be included in the film for it to be eligible for the competition.
Here is the short film we created with our team, “The Percolators”, during the weekend of October 22-23. We decided to make a mute movie. I’ll let you discover it through the Youtube link. Even if you are English-speakers, I hope that you will appreciate the result. Enjoy! 🙂
Watch the film – L’Histoire sans voie
Shot in Geneva, Switzerland – October 2016
You can discover the activities of the main actress of the film,
Geni Deli, on her Facebook Page and on her Instagram.
Find the pictures of the photographer working during the shooting,
TwenxMedia, on his Official Website and on his Facebook Page.