48 Hour Film Project

On this page you’ll find all the rules in regards to the actual filmmaking for the 48 Hour Film 360/VR Project. Give them a read, the last thing that you or we want is to disqualify your film. They’re here to ensure fair competition and eligibility.

These rules are more about the creative part of the 48HFP. Need something else? Check out the Competition Rules!

The 48 Hour Film Project Organizers may add to or amend these rules at any time prior to the beginning of the Official Time Period.

Times

The 48 Hour Film 360/VR Project (360VR) will occur in cities around the world on different weekends throughout the year.
The 48 Hour Film 360/VR Project will occur between a Friday 7pm local time and the following Sunday 7pm local time. This is the Official Time Period. (Days of the competition may vary in some countries.)
The participating group/team must complete its film/video work in time to submit it on Sunday by 7:30pm.
Only works that meet the deadline will be officially part of the competition. All films received on Sunday (on-time and late) will be screened.
Creative Process
All creativity must take place during the Official Time Period. Any creative work in advance of the competition weekend is prohibited. Creative work includes, but is not limited to:
- Writing the script
- Casting (of roles)
- Rehearsing
- Costume/Set Design
- Shooting
- Editing
- Sound Design
- Rendering
- Outputting to USB drive or other media
Preparation
The only work to begin prior to the Official Time Period is:
- Organizing Crew
- Organizing Cast
- Securing Equipment
- Scouting/Securing Locations
Footage

Every frame of your film MUST contain footage shot or created in the Official Time Period. This is "core footage."

"Supporting footage," or footage shot or created BEFORE the Official Time Period (including stock footage that is part of a special effect) may be placed over or under the core footage, as long as every frame of your film contains some amount of core footage and the assembling of the core footage with the supporting footage occurs during the Official Time Period.

Animation, titles, and special effects can be considered core footage if it is created during the Official Time Period. (see the A.I. rule relating to footage created using Artificial Intelligence.)

Supporting footage MAY NOT include people or other performers unless the supporting footage was shot during a previous 48HFP Official Time Period for a previously-submitted 48HFP film.

Still photos are permitted as core footage. The still photos do not need to be created during the Official Time Period. Note: Still photos created outside of the Official Time Period being used in a sequence to create the illusion of motion are not acceptable as core footage, but are acceptable as supporting footage.

You must have rights to any footage or photos used in your film. A 48HFP Materials Release is required for all materials, photos, and/or footage not created in the Official Time Period.
Kickoff Event
Each participating team must have a representative at the official Kickoff Event of the 48 Hour Film 360/VR Project, as listed on your city's webpage.
- Prior to the Kickoff event, each group must submit a completed Team Leader's Agreement, signed by its team leader. A team may not participate without submitting this agreement.
- Each group will receive the genre of its film in a random drawing.
Required Elements
Each participating group will be assigned required elements that must appear in its film, such as a genre, a character, a prop and/or a line of dialogue.
- The required Character must be seen on-screen and it must be clear--either directly shown or by context--who the required character is. The Character name does not have to be said out loud or written on-screen.
- The required Prop must be seen on-screen. A picture of the required prop is also allowed.
- The required Line of Dialogue must be used verbatim. It may be spoken, sung and/or written. It may be in any language, though if it is unclear that it is the required Line, there must be a translation.
- To qualify as an Official Entry, each group's film must be in the genre it selects and must contain all required elements within the official time limit and prior to the credits.
Volunteers

All cast and crew must be volunteers.
Animal Safety

Animal safety, like cast and crew safety, is an important part of 48 Hour Filmmaking. Films that result in the death or mutilation of an animal may be disqualified.
Cameras

Any type of video or film camera may be used. There is no limit to the number of cameras.
Music Rights

Participating groups are encouraged to work with a composer and/or musicians to write and record music for the films. It is permissible for a participating group to use pre-recorded music; however, the participating group must have the rights to any music used in its film and must provide releases for all music used. As with music, pre-recorded sound effects are allowed, but you must have rights to use them.
Note: Song parodies (i.e., use of identifiable pre-existing compositions with new or altered lyrics or music) may not be included in the film without a signed release from the composition's rights holder. This rule applies without regard to whether the song parody arguably constitutes fair use under US or international copyright law.
Total Running Time

All finished film must be a minimum of 4 minutes in duration, and a maximum of 7 minutes in duration—not including end credits. For interactive content your experience should last at least 4 minutes. And your experience should be able to finish in 7 minutes - we instruct the jury to experience each interactive content within 7 minutes.
Credits
Pre-film Required Slates
Before the finished film begins, the media should have...
Your film follows this.
Opening Credits
After the 2 seconds of black, some films start with opening credits. These are not encouraged, but if you use them, opening credits are considered to be part of the film, and therefore count against the seven-minute maximum. Additionally, if your film has opening credits other than simply the film's title (for example, the names of directors, actors, etc.), you must include one of the following:
Note: a 48 Hour Film 360/VR Project may be entirely lowercase (i.e., a 48 hour film 360/vr project).
End Credits
Credits at the end of each film are limited to a maximum of 60 seconds. The 60 seconds is considered additional to the length of the film, as stated above. (That is, a film may be 7 minutes long, with an additional 60 seconds of credits, for a total running time of 8 minutes.) 360VR reserves the right to shorten any end credits that exceed the maximum length for screening purposes.
The end credits must include the words: This film was made for the 48 Hour Film 360/VR Project. www.48hourfilm.com/360vr
Slates And Credits After The Competition
For any future screenings, online or otherwise, films should retain the pre-film title card that says: This film was made for the 48 Hour Film 360/VR Project 2025. www.48hourfilm.com/360vr.
Required Media Formats
For complete submission requirements, check your city webpage. If your film does not conform to the submission requirements in your city, it may be disqualified. Also, if your film cannot be viewed on 48HFP equipment, it may be disqualified.
Unless otherwise instructed on your City webpage of the 48 Hour Film 360/VR Project website, your film must be submitted on one of the following media:
- for 360 film: H.264 or H.265 .mp4 file at 4K, 30fps, 3840 x 1920 (monoscopic) or 3840 x 2160 (stereoscopic). For other formats, contact your event’s Producer before the competition starts.
- for interactive experiences: a Windows .exe generated in Unity or Unreal, playable with an Oculus Rift. For all other options, contact your event’s Producer before the competition starts and we will check if your format works with our equipment.
Submission Notes
- We recommend that you make sound levels relatively even throughout your film. (If your film has uneven sound or sound that peaks, it may be modified to protect the playback equipment.)
- Projection specs vary from theater to theater and are beyond the control of the 48HFP. If your film is very dark, it may be difficult to see in some theaters.
- All films received on the evening of the deadline (on-time and late) will be screened, presuming they meet the eligibility requirements.
Production Documents
Each team must secure releases for talent, crew, music and locations (and any other applicable releases), which must be turned in to the project organizers with the finished film/video. The film/video will not be screened before the 48 Hour Film 360/VR Project Organizers receive the signed releases.
- Release forms can be found on the 48HFP website.
- Completed release forms shall be uploaded to Cinema48.
- Both written and electronic signatures are allowed.
Certification Statement

The Entrant must submit a Certification Statement with his/her completed Entry, certifying adherence to all Official Rules.
Eligibility

To be eligible for the Project, Entries must be the original work of the Entrant; must not infringe third-party's rights; must be suitable for publication (i.e., may not be obscene or indecent); must not contain obscene or pornographic material; may not contain defamatory statements about any person, company, organization or entity; may not invade privacy or other rights of any person, company or entity; may not in any other way violate applicable laws and regulations; and may not contain any copyrighted elements (other than as owned by the Entrant and/or 48HFP).
Entries containing prohibited or inappropriate content as determined by the 48HFP, in its sole discretion, to be inappropriate will be disqualified. 48HFP reserves the right to make the final determination as to which Entries are eligible. 48HFP reserves the right to refuse to screen a film or to make an announcement at the screening regarding the content of the film. 48HFP reserves the right to alter a film in order to remove or delete offensive or defamatory content.
No Pre-Screening Distribution

The Entrant should not distribute their entry/video in any way prior to it receiving its official 48HFP premiere screening. This includes uploading the video to any website or screening the film for groups of anyone other than the team. The Entrant is encouraged to make a trailer of their film and distribute that instead. This trailer should be no longer than 48 seconds.
Official Film Entry

To be certified as an Official Film Entry, each participating group's film/video production must follow all rules herein. The 48 Hour Film 360/VR Project Organizers reserve the right to screen only certified Official Film Entries.
Entries Not Returned

No Entries (media or documents) will be returned.
Disqualification

48HFP and Project Parties may, in their sole discretion, disqualify Entries deemed to be inappropriate or otherwise non-compliant.
Official City Winner

All certified "Official Film Entries" are eligible to compete for the title of "Best Film" of the 48 Hour Film 360/VR Project in its city.
Best Special Genre Film of 2025

All Best of City Special Genre films are eligible to compete globally for the title of Best Special Genre Film of 2025. A panel of independent judges will determine the winners.
Using AI (Artificial Intelligence) in Your 48 Entry
You may use AI (Artificial Intelligence) in the creation of your film, subject to the following guidelines:
1. Footage
  1. Core Footage: AI-generated video may only be used as Core Footage if it is based on footage originally shot during the competition weekend — for example, AI-enhanced, re-stylized, or manipulated versions of that footage.
  2. Supporting Footage: There are no limits on video images created using AI when being used as Supporting Footage
2. Anything created using AI (footage, scripts, music, effects, etc. must adhere to the following:
  1. You may only use AI in ways that are legal in your jurisdiction.
  2. You may not use AI to create any part of your entry prior to the Official Time Period.
  3. You must have the legal rights to all material used in your film — including AI-generated content. Any AI output that incorporates copyrighted material (like a famous actor’s face or a recognizable movie still) without proper permission is not allowed.
  4. Any footage created using AI is subject to both: copyright requirements and the footage rule. That is, not only must the filmmaker have rights to the footage, but any footage shot prior to the competition weekend, may only be used as outlined in the footage rule.
3. You must list all AI apps/software used in your film on your Wrap Up Form.

Filmmaking Rules