48-hour film challenge taking place in Cork city this weekend

Anyone involved in film-making knows that it is a time-consuming process.

From writing the script to casting the right actors and finding suitable locations, shooting, and finally editing, it can take months, or even years, for a film to come to life.

The Cork City 48-Hour Film Challenge flips this notion on its head, as crews and creatives have just two days to create a short film from scratch to screen.

The second annual challenge will take place from June 27-29, with an awards ceremony on the last day at The Pav. Jamie Hooper, founder of The Picturehouse and the challenge, hopes it becomes a regular event.

“We had such a great time last year; we want film-making teams to return year after year,” said Jamie.

“The team that won last year is competing again, hoping to hold on to the crown, while those who came close last year aim to return and take it.

“We want to build a community of filmmakers - both cast and crew who love the buzz of doing something like this.”

The rules are simple: each team must write, shoot, edit, and submit a completed seven-minute short film within just two days, but there are some surprises, as Hooper explains.

“There are several special rules that the teams won’t know the details of until the morning of the first day.

“We will offer them a selection of specific genres, and the teams will be informed of the location in Cork city where they must film.

“We do this to prevent them from coming in with a fully developed script or a clear idea of what they want to create. Unexpected challenges ensure fairness and keep the teams on their toes.”

Hooper can’t give any hints as to where the location will be, but explains the rationale behind the rule.

“Last year, the location was the Grand Parade. It was nice that all ten films made over the weekend had a connecting thread that centres the films in Cork.”

Hooper points out a difference between last year’s inaugural challenge and this year’s second edition. Last year, teams had the option to choose either an easy or a difficult genre. However, this year, there are no easy options available.

“We have removed the easy option because we found too many of the teams defaulted to it, and it made the variety of the films a little bit less interesting.

“We’re making it quite challenging in theory, but making the genres more difficult can help the filmmakers.

“48 hours is not a long time to make films, but if you start thinking in genre, you can start thinking much more structurally because you have to play within the rules of that genre.”

There will be awards for several categories. Best Film will be awarded automatic entry to the IndieCork Festival, which Hooper says is an additional incentive for film-makers.

“IndieCork is partnering with us on this. We always have one of their representatives on our judging panel, and one thing they’ll be looking out for is whether it’s the kind of film that they would want to program. So that’s yet another thing for our film-makers to keep in mind.”

Hooper also says that several of last year’s entries went on to have independent success.

“Many of the films made last year were screened at IndieCork based on their own merits.

“I’ve participated in other 48-hour challenges that advanced more than some projects I spent months working on.

“Working under pressure during these challenges can be creatively clarifying; it allows you to capture lightning in a bottle.”

Hooper says that more time is not always beneficial.

“You can spend a long time discussing a film, and you might have a script, or perhaps certain dates could work out, or maybe you’ll secure funding - there are many uncertainties.

“However, here, you can sit down and create a film from start to finish, and by the end of the weekend, it will be completed.

“There’s no more tinkering; your film is made.”

The accomplishment of creating a seven-minute film in 48 hours also fosters strong connections among the different teams, says Hooper.

“The beauty of that is an exhilarating weekend of running around, shooting things and editing.

“Maybe there are mishaps and things go wrong, but then, at the very end, you sit together with all the other team members and watch each other’s films, creating a lovely environment.”

This year’s judging panel features Éanna Hardwicke, the multi-award-winning actor who will soon be seen playing Roy Keane in the film Saipan. Hooper says it is brilliant to have him involved.

“We are incredibly excited, incredibly grateful that Éanna is taking the time to do this for us.

“None of the team is paid for doing it; it’s a community endeavour, so it’s always lovely to see someone who is doing so well bring back that knowledge.”

Cork-based writer and director Sinéad O’Loughlin, whose short film Lamb premiered at the renowned Tribeca Film Festival, is also on the judging panel and says she is excited to be involved with the challenge.

“I am really excited to see the work that comes out of this year’s challenge,” she said.

“Cork has a vibrant film community, and the time limit of the challenge is a great way for teams to get creative and make some bold choices.

“It’s also at events like these where you can meet your future collaborators.”

The 48-Hour Film Challenge takes place from June 27-29, see picturehousecork.com/cork48hourfilm