48 Hour Film Project kicks off in LA

48hourfilm.com

Fine Grain Films team members in the final production stages of their 2005 film "Somnia."

What started in 2001 as a few independent filmmaker's quest to make a watchable film in a short amount of time has grown to a worldwide annual contest that last year had over 40,000 filmmakers produce 3,000 films in 76 cities.

(Audio of event organizer Jimmy Stewart talking with KPCC's Alex Cohen about the contest.)

The 48 Hour Film Project will be in Los Angeles today through Sunday and is expected to bring in up to 85 teams of filmmakers for the contest. Organizers said teams from Beijing, China to Lisbon, Spain, have to write, cast, film and edit their films in just 48 hours.

Jimmy Stewart, the L.A. event's organizer, said about 80 to 90 percent of the teams who take on the challenge complete the task on time. But as with any collaborative and creative endeavor, there is bound to be some fireworks.

"There's often stories of people getting into fights, having a lot of drama," Stewart said.

The event kicks off at 6:00 p.m. at Cinespace in Hollywood, where the assembled teams will receive the elements that are to be incorporated into their movies: a character, dialogue, prop and a genre.

Contestants have until 7:30 p.m. Sunday to drop off the finished film, or risk disqualification if they are one minute late.

The 4-7 minute films will then be screened before a panel of professionals and film lovers at Laemmle's in Santa Monica August 24-26, Stewart said. Prizes will be awarded for categories such as best director and costume, as well as for the audience's favorite.

The best film to emerge from L.A. will be in the running for top honors at Filmapalooza, the 48 Hour Film Project’s annual awards. In addition, the top 12 international 48 Hour Film Project films will be screened at the Cannes Short Film Corner in 2010.

For more information go to http://www.48hourfilm.com/la/.