The weekend of September 22, 2023, local Reno filmmakers created short films in under 48 hours for the 48 Hour Film Project, a national event that allows filmmakers to show off their skills. This past weekend, on October 8, filmmakers and goers gathered to see the final films on the big screen. Awards will be announced on October 15.
Film can be one of the toughest industries to break into. The 48 Hour Film Project has made it a mission to make the industry more accessible by bringing filmmakers in cities around the world together to create films in under 48 hours.
The event began in Washington D.C., in 2001, and on the weekend of September 22, 2023 the event made its way to Reno for the second year in a row.
“Basically teams have 48 hours to make a movie. That means write, shoot, edit, upload, and music,” the event’s coordinator Ivey Smith said.
Eleven filmmaking teams were assigned two genres, a line, a character, and a prop and were sent on their way to create a film using all of the elements. The films were required to be uploaded by 5 p.m. on September 24, no exceptions.
Reporter Josie Hester worked on above movie.
On October 8, filmmakers gathered to see their finished films on the big screen, at the Galaxy theater in Sparks.
“I'm just looking forward to seeing local films made by people from Reno, and also just, you know, seeing all the different perspectives and takes on the same theme and plot,” local resident Miles Comstock said.
“I thought the 48 hour film festival was great. This year was a lot better than last year. There were so many more submissions and so much more talent. I think everybody knocked it out of the park,” said Clayton Posey who participated last year.
A 5 p.m. showing and an 8 p.m. showing played all 11 films, where audience members were encouraged to vote for Audience Choice afterwards.
The vote for Audience Choice wrapped up at midnight, leaving the teams eagerly awaiting the awards ceremony on October 15th.
At that point, the Audience Choice will be revealed, as well as over a dozen awards such as best directing, best lighting, and most importantly, best film.
The winner of best film can plan on seeing their film screened in an exclusive, international, 48-Hour film festival called Filmapalooza, taking place this year in Portugal.