If you're a burgeoning filmmaker, good news — the Tampa edition of the international weekend of filmmaking, officially known as the 48 Hour Film Project, returns this July.
What is it? It's a weekend (July 13-15 this year) where you (and your crack team of filmmakers) write, shoot and edit a short film — between four and seven minutes — and premiere it a few weeks later. And, unlike some film fests where they only show the winners, everyone who makes it to the finish line gets their shot on the silver screen on July 24 (at the AMC Classic Centro Ybor 10).
Anyone can enter a film, regardless of age, talent or experience.
"Filmmakers find that there’s nothing like seeing their film on the big screen in front of a live audience. It’s thrilling and an experience they will never forget," Tampa 48 Hour Film Project producer Wendy Robbins says, adding that the time constraints push filmmakers of all levels to end the weekend with a completed film, something hard to accomplish without a hard-and-fast deadline.
Every submitted film has a shot at getting audience recognition, and a local panel will judge the films. The film that earns the title "Best Film" advances to the international 48 Hour Film Project competition. It will compete against more than 100 international winners; from those films, 12 will go to Cannes.
Want to know more? Head to an info session at Creative Soul Studio, 2425 Central Ave., St. Petersburg on Tues., May 29 at 5:30 p.m. This is a great time to meet potential teammates for the competition and find out if this sort of thing really is your bag. Think you already know? You can register (or get more info) here.
