About

We are the 48 Hour Film Project, nice to meet you!

The 48 Hour Film Project is:

  • An exciting creative weekend
  • Filmmakers making short films
  • A global event that happens in more than 100 cities

The 48 takes place on different weekends in different cities throughout the year. In each city local Film Teams—from beginners to pro's--compete to make a short film in only a weekend! Do you and your friends have what it takes to make a film on the fly?

It all begins with the Friday night Kickoff event when you and teams in your city draw genres out of a hat and receive the required elements for your film.

Then it is off to the races—writing, shooting and editing and doing whatever it takes to submit your short film on Sunday night.

The big payoff is seeing your masterpiece in the big screen at a local theater. Every film, both on-time and late, will screen. There is nothing better than seeing your film with an audience and seeing firsthand how they react to your movie.

At the city awards event, the winning films—as determined by local judges—are announced. More than a dozen awards are given—from Best Acting to Best Directing to the top prize: Best Film.

Filmapalooza and Cannes

What happens after the local 48? The top films earn more exposure. The Best Film in each city screens at our annual international film festival—Filmapalooza. This fest features screenings, workshops and parties and is attended by filmmakers from around the world. At the Awards Ceremony we announce the Grand Champion of the Year!

Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner Many of our films go on to festivals around the world, but we are proud of our 17 year partnership with the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner. Each year we take a selection of our top films to screen at the festival. It is an amazing experience for our filmmakers.

Ready to take on the challenge? Find your city here!

48 Hour Film Project: Facts and Figures

  • Started in Washington DC in 2001
  • Events in more than 200 cities and 45 countries over the years
  • Each year:
  • More than 100 cities
  • More than 4000 film teams
  • More than 50,000 filmmakers
  • 70,000+ films have been made for the 48HFP