Chicago’s 12th 48 Hour Film Project kicks off July 31

The 48 Hour Film Project is back in Chicago for the 12th year of weekend filmmaking and director / editor Jerry Vasilatos of Nitestar Productions is helming it for the second year.

The winning short will compete for special prizes with 48HFP films from 130 cities around the world where more than 60,000 people will participate in the filmmaking weekend.

A meet-and-greet on Sunday, July 31 will launch Chicago’s 48HFP at the Music Box Lounge, which adjoins the Music Box Theatre, where all completed local films will be showcased.

“The Meet-n-Greet is an informal way for filmmakers, team leaders, industry professionals and others people interested in getting involved to network and exchange information,” says Vasilatos, who has participated in six 48HFP weekends.

“Everyone is welcome to attend and participate. Filmmakers should bring business cards and actors have their headshots and resumes on hand,” he adds.

Jerry Vasilatos (Nicole Schuberg Photography)Casting resources will be announced along with sponsor presentations regarding discounts on services for 48 Hour teams.

But it won’t be until the kickoff, Friday, Aug. 26 that teams will be assigned a genre, character, prop and line of dialogue that they must work into their films. They are responsible for cast and crew, equipment and anything to complete their short film by the 7 p.m. Sunday night, Aug. 28 deadline.

Submitted films, judged by local industry pros, will be screened Sept. 11-12 at the Music Box where on Sept. 15 the “Best of the Festival” and prizes will be presented.

The local winner of the Best Film of 2016, chosen by an international panel of judges, will screen at Filmapalooza in Atlanta in 2017, during the official 48HFP Awards weekend.

Last year’s weekend attracted 58 entrants, each representing from five to 20 people on their team. Chicago’s Best Film winner was “Double Exposure” by Lynn Millspaugh and Derek Sauders of Broad Street Films. An audience of more than 300 turned out for the winners’ screening.

Early Bird entrance fee of $140 will end Monday, Aug. 1 and will be $160 thereafter. To register for the Meet-and-Greet, click here.

To register for Chicago’s 48HFP, click here

 
48 HOUR FILM PROJECT – CHICAGO BEHIND THE SCENES