48 Hour Film Project in Madison kicks off

Sunday evening at Escape Java Joint, a “Meet and Greet” took place for potential participants in the 48 Hour Film Project (48HFP), an international competition that’s accepting entries from Madison teams for the first time this year. Local 48HFP producer Sierra Shea of SaSHa Productions hopes to have 24 teams showcase the abundant creative talent available in Madison and provide an impressive debut for local filmmakers. Registration deadline is April 6.

The 48 hour filmmaking period will take place April 20 to 22 and each team will participate in a random drawing to determine the genre they have to work in for the competition. Also, like a Wis-Kino Kabaret or a Mercury Players Theatre Blitz, the competition will require participants to incorporate a specific element (character, prop, and/or line of dialogue) into their film.

The event at Escape featured people who had established teams and “free agents” possessing various talents. There was also a couple that had participated in a previous 48HFP. The Madison 48HFP will feature local judges and awards and will determine what films advance to the national stage; the five final U.S. teams will have to prove their mettle yet again by shooting another film in 48 hours.