Over 150 short films were produced during the thrilling 48-hour International Film Project (48HFP) weekend in Durban, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Also read: Did you know these movies were filmed in and around Cape Town?
‘We had production teams submitting films from South Africa, Lesotho, Nigeria, and Ukraine,’ City Producer Nerusha Maharaj-Sadapal told The Citizen.
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According to the organisation, The 48 Hour International Film Project, founded by Mark Ruppert in Los Angeles 23 years ago, is the world’s largest and oldest filmmaking competition.
It takes place in 140 cities worldwide, including five in Africa, with over 70,000 films created to date.
The 48 Hour International Film Project takes place on various weekends throughout the year in different cities.
Local film teams, ranging from beginners to professionals, compete to create a short film in just one weekend.
It kicks off with a Friday night event where teams draw genres from a hat and receive essential elements for their films.
Then, it’s a race to write, shoot, and edit before the Sunday night submission deadline.
The highlight comes when films are screened in local theatres, allowing filmmakers to witness audience reactions to their creations, whether submitted on time or late.
After the local 48, top films gain additional exposure, with the Best Film from each city screening at the annual international festival, Filmapalooza. This event includes screenings, workshops, and parties, attracting filmmakers from around the globe.
The Grand Champion of the Year is announced during the awards ceremony.
Last week’s Durban leg of the festival resulted in 162 films, including Unheard and Unseen, which stood out for its focus on inclusivity.
The film was created by 19-year AFDA student Sinethemba Solomzi Mtati.
The film explored the challenges faced by hearing-impaired females, featuring a beautiful story told through sign language and performed by mute actors, according to project producer Nerusha Maharaj-Sadapal.
The 162 films will be reviewed by adjudicators and screened at Suncoast Cinema from October 25 to 27.
After the screenings, there are hopes for these films to be commissioned and aired on television.
With this in mind, the Best Film of the 2024 Cape Town 48 Hour Film Project was awarded to Team Zarnia for their film A.I Love You, which will represent Cape Town at Filmapalooza 2025 alongside other city winners.
Only three films from three South African cities will represent the country internationally.
The Best Film winner from each city will receive a screening at Filmapalooza 2025, a trophy at the global event, and a chance to compete at the Cannes Film Festival.
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Picture: 48hr film project
