Call for registrations

IMAGINATION COSTS NOTHING IS MANTRA OF NEXT GEN FILMMAKING COMP

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 Competition – 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, between May 20th and May 22nd 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 the highest accolades within the tough New Zealand film industry.

2010 Grand Champions, The Downlow Concept cleaned up with their short film ‘Only Son’ 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.

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 major support from The New Zealand Film Commission and significant industry partners such as Panasonic, Wingnut Films, Images And Sound and Park Road Post; V48HOURS is now a recognised contributor to the New Zealand film industry.

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 may have been overlooked get the nod from Sir Pete himself.

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.

The V48HOURS registrations are open online now until 1st May 2011, at www.v48hours.co.nz.

The demand in Auckland & Wellington sometimes exceed available space so teams worried about missing out, should register now.