48 Hour Film Project Returns to Providence for a Ninth Year

June 12, 2014 - July will mark the ninth year the Rhode Island Film Collaborative has organized Providence's 48 Hour Film Project. This year's competition will take place the weekend of July 11th to 13th.

With over 25,000 completed short films under its belt, the 48 Hour Film Project has earned its place as the world's largest timed filmmaking competition. From its grassroots beginning as a convivial filmmaking contest between friends, the competition has grown to include 130 cities spanning 6 continents for its 2014 tour schedule, including cities such as San Diego, Toronto, Lima, Cape Town, Taipei, Paris and many others. Teams will race to produce short films from start to finish over the course of one weekend using quick-witted creativity, helter-skelter innovation and gallons of caffeine. The champion of the challenge will win a spot on the big screen at the Cannes International Film Festival, $5,000 USD and lifelong bragging rights for winning a renowned international film contest. Despite its far-reaching success, the 48 Hour Film Project has been able to preserve its grassroots heritage and continues to provide exciting challenges for indie filmmakers.

During the 48-hour competition, teams create an entire film - writing, shooting, and editing while the clock ticks. At the end of the two-day race to complete a film, all entries are screened at Cinema World in Lincoln July 15th through 17th.

As a part of their partnership with ITVFest, the Best 48HFP Film of 2014 from Boston, New Hampshire, New Haven, New York, Portland (Maine), and Providence will be invited to screen at ITVFest this fall. Out of those six 48HFP films, one team will win a very special prize of $1000 in cash and $1000 towards travel expenses to next year's Filmapalooza in Hollywood.

Discounted early bird rates end Monday, June 16th. Teams can sign up to compete at www.48hourfilm.com/providence.

Past Providence winners have gone on to found companies, make feature films, web series, as well as to work on film projects of all stripes. Local actress Margarita Martinez—a 48 HFP actress—just won a local Emmy for her work on Neighborhood Kitchens.

The Rhode Island Film Collaborative is a non-profit organization that helps filmmakers find the resources to get their projects made.