Film competition gives another 48 hours

A scene from the 2010 national winner <i>Only Son</i> Photo / The Downlow Concept

Budding filmmakers and seasoned pros will once again beg, steal and borrow all the talent and equipment they can secure, with the V48 Hours Furious Filmmaking competition back for its 9th year.

The competition, which gives teams 48 hours to make a short film from writing through to completion, has grown steadily over the years, with Rotorua becoming the eighth region to take part in 2011.

Last year over 650 teams entered around the country, and national champions The Downlow Concept went on to win Best Short Film at the Qantas Film and Television Awards for Only Son.

"Straight away I was extremely happy for the Downlow Concept guys," says competition director Ant Timpson. "Then I wondered what the NZ Film Commission would think."

The win didn't please everyone though, with grumblings from some quarters about whether Only Son should have qualified for the Qantas awards. Timpson is unapologetic.

"I have no time for anyone who was upset about it winning. It's a great short by any measure and 20 international judges thought it incredible including Academy Award scriptwriters. I'd take their word over some pissed-off bitter locals."

In light of the Christchurch earthquake, the decision was made to waive the entry fee for Christchurch teams. So does Timpson expect the experience of Christchurch locals to come through in their films?

"All I know is that the filmmaking spirit in Christchurch is very strong and it'll easily be the biggest year ever down there. We're hoping to break 100 teams which is phenomenal. I'm sure some of the stories will reflect the mood and geography of the town."

LOWDOWN

What: The V48 Hours Furious Filmmaking Competition

Where and when: Nationwide (Auckland, Hamilton, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and now Rotorua) from 7pm May 20th to 7pm May 22nd.

Registration: Until May 1st at www.v48hours.co.nz

Any warm-up competitions?: Yes. The V48 Seconds Mildly Furious Filmmaking competition. Teams have to recreate a well known scene from a film which must be 48 seconds in length. Entries close on April 29th at midnight. Enter here.