SCI-FI-LONDON’s 48 Hour Film Challenge is looking for the next Gareth Edwards
Since 2009, SCI-FI-LONDON Film Festival has run a 48 Hour Film Challenge where participants script, shoot, edit and complete a short format science fiction or fantasy film. In 2008 the winning submission came from a young, London-based director named Gareth Edwards. Gareth’s début feature was the multiple award-winning Monsters – the project being green-lit due to Vertigo Films seeing his winning 48 hour short film at SCI-FI-LONDON. They were so impressed with what he achieved in just two days and no budget that they decided to develop a feature film with him. Our 2011 challenge not only sees Gareth on the jury, but the producer of Monsters and head of Vertigo Films, Allan Niblo, also joins us. In our 10th anniversary year, SCI-FI-LONDON is delighted to announce that the challenge’s first prize is a development deal with Vertigo Films. The 2011 winner will have the opportunity to develop a feature film with the creators of Streetdance 3D and Monsters. Vertigo will either develop the winning short film into a feature, or develop an alternative concept from a slate of projects the filmmaker will be asked to pitch to the team. Also new for 2011 is an Under 21 category run in conjunction with the BFI Future Film Festival. Prizes for this section include the winning film being screened at the BFI Southbank. Did we mention our amazing jury?
• Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Scott Pilgrim)
• Mary Lambert (Pet Cemetery, Dark Path)
• Gareth Edwards (Monsters)
• Todd Brown (Editor, Twitchfilm.net)
• Allan Niblo (Head of Vertigo Films)
• Rosie Fletcher (News Editor, Total Film)
Taking part is free and easy… Our film challenge is FREE TO ENTER – it seems wrong to ask for money, it’s hard enough work as it is! We give out a randomly generated film title, some dialogue and a prop list. Participants then have just 48 hours to write, shoot and edit a complete five minute film. The SCI-FI-LONDON 48 Hour Film Challenge takes place 2 – 4 April, 2011 at the Apollo Piccadilly Circus. This year’s festival runs Saturday 23 April – Monday 2 May, 2011.
Full details will be available soon and on www.sci-fi-london.com.
About SCI-FI-LONDON:
SCI-FI-LONDON, now in its 10th year, is the UK’s only dedicated sci-fi and fantasy film festival. It screens world and UK film premieres, documentaries and a selection of classic SF titles. SCI-FI-LONDON also has a strong international shorts programme and screens a short film with every feature screening. It also holds a film school and filmmaking competitions to encourage more science fiction films to be made in the UK.
Source: Sci-Fi London 31st January 2011
