The DMCT 48-Hour Film Challenge, hosted the weekend of November 15th-17th, brought together an incredible group of emerging filmmakers. Each team was tasked with creating a short film from start to finish in just two days. With submissions from students from multiple colleges and universities across Connecticut, this year’s challenge showcased a range of storytelling, creativity, and technical skill.
The Screening & Industry Q&A
Following the challenge, participants, judges, and guests gathered for a special screening event where the films were shown on the big screen. The event concluded with an insightful discussion featuring a guest speaker from Village Community Foundation (VCF) / Launchpad, who shared valuable perspectives on the industry and opportunities for young filmmakers.
And the Winners Are…
Our panel of judges brought a wealth of experience from both academia and the film industry. This year’s panel included two representatives from the Norwalk Film Festival (NFF), a professor from our advisory board, and an industry professional with extensive experience in film and television production. Their expertise helped evaluate each submission based on artistic merit, technical execution, and adherence to the challenge guidelines. In addition to the judges’ selections, the audience had the chance to cast their votes online for their favorite film.
Jury Selected
🏆 1st Place: “Three Step Method” – Fix it in Post
🥈 2nd Place: “Bluesky” – Keep Up
🥉 3rd Place: “No Cap” – Fyli-Stake
🎥 Viewers’ Choice Winner: “Words Unsaid” – Keep Up
Following the screening of all films Launchpad hosted a fireside chat with industry execs Russ McCarroll of Pocket Square Productions and Carla Rothberg of A&E. Students gained valuable firsthand insights on breaking into the industry and navigating the path to success in the worlds of entertainment and production.
As a special opportunity, all participants of our challenge were invited to an exclusive visit to the Netflix Headquarters with Launchpad. Unique experiences like this perfectly align with our mission to foster diversity in the media industry and to empower and support the next generation of creative professionals. By providing access to invaluable opportunities, we aim to ensure that underrepresented voices are heard and given the platform they deserve in the creative world.
We are beyond proud of all the participants and grateful to our judges, partners, and supporters for making this event a success. Stay tuned for more challenges and opportunities in the semesters ahead!
Check out all submissions from this challenge here: digitalmediact.com/48hfc2024/