(PR.co.nz) What do you get when you combine video cameras, sleepless nights, thousands of passionate people working feverishly with and against each other to achieve the ultimate satisfaction, and all in 48 hours?
The V48Hours Furious Filmmaking Contest – back for 2011 and enticing more people than ever to grab their No.8 wire, a tripod, and a group of enthusiastic mates and join in on the fun.
Registrations are now open for the popular annual event and this year promises the same furious filmmaking energy and Kiwi ingenuity as previous years.
Now in its 9th year, V48Hours is the world’s greatest limited-time filmmaking contest where hundreds of New Zealand teams write, shoot, cut and hopefully survive making a short film in one weekend.
In 2010, over 650 teams across the country participated in the challenge. This year, from 20th to 22nd May 2011 teams will take to the streets, parks, warehouses and other makeshift movie sets to put their best foot forward.
The contest has seen a huge pool of creative talent emerge off the back of winning V48Hours, with some going on to win accolades within the tough New Zealand film industry.
2010 Grand Champions, The Downlow Concept with their short film ‘Only Son’ cleaned up at the Qantas Film & TV Awards in 2010, taking home the prestigious Best Short Film and Best Screenplay categories – the first time a non-Film Commission funded film has been awarded such an honor. Further, the NZ Film Commission instantly picked up the film’s distribution.
Other notable wins include Taika Waititi, the 2004 Wellington Final winner who went on to become an Academy Award Nominee.
Starting in 2003 with only 44 teams, V48Hours has become an iconic New Zealand event which now boasts the involvement of eight regions including Auckland, Hamilton, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and with Rotorua as the newest addition for 2011. In light of the recent devastating earthquake in Christchurch, 48Hours and V energy have removed the registration fee for those teams in Christchurch wanting to take part in this year’s contest.
The 2011 competition also provides attractive incentives to those hungry to win, with tens of thousands in cash and prizes up for grabs.
With the support of The New Zealand Film Commission and significant brand partners such as Panasonic, Wingnut Films, Media Design School and Park Road Post Production, V48Hours is now a recognised contributor to the New Zealand film industry.
Festival founder Ant Timpson says,
“Last year was truly a defining year for the event. It was cited in the official Ministerial Review of the New Zealand Film Commission as ‘the place’ to find the future film talent of NZ. When the Grand Champs went on to win Best Short Film at the Qantas Film Awards it was further proof that this competition is the real deal and an essential contributor to the NZ film industry.”
Also returning for 2011 will be the famous Peter Jackson Wild Card winners, where lucky contestants who didn’t make the final cut in the Heat Finals, get given a second chance for the Grand Final. In 2008, Team Puppy Guts from Wellington won the golden ticket Wild Card and went on to win the Grand Final with their short film F*Dance.
For those who think they’ve got what it takes to survive a weekend of furious filmmaking and the chance to win fame and fortune, then registering for New Zealand’s most iconic short film event is only a click away.
Registrations open online from 3rd March 2011 until 1st May 2011, at www.v48hours.co.nz.
Media Release 4 March 2011.