The Film Lab 714 48-Hour Film Challenge gives participants the opportunity to create an original short film under real-world time constraints. Filmmakers will develop, write, shoot, edit, and complete their films during the official challenge period.

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1. Workshop Participation

Participation in the FilmLab714 filmmaking workshops is required to take part in the 48-Hour Film Challenge.

The workshop is optimised for emerging filmmakers ages 18–35 who are launching their careers. 
Participants must be at least 18 years old
 

You do not need to arrive with a team. Individual filmmakers are welcome and will be placed on a team during the event.

FilmLab714 will help organize participants into balanced production teams. We want filmmakers to build new creative relationships while also recognizing that friends may wish to collaborate. Existing friendships and collaboration requests may be considered when teams are assembled, but specific team placements cannot be guaranteed.

Final team assignments will be determined by the organizers.

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2. Official Start

The challenge officially begins on the evening of August 19, when the required theme is announced.

The screenplay may not be written before the theme is revealed. All screenwriting, filming, editing, sound design, visual effects, and other creative production work must take place during the official challenge period.

Participants may make general preparations beforehand, including arranging equipment, considering potential locations, and confirming their availability.

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3. Original Screenplay

Each film must be based on an original screenplay created specifically for the Film Lab 714 48-Hour Film Challenge.

Previously written, produced, published, or submitted screenplays may not be used or adapted.

The film must incorporate the official theme announced at the beginning of the challenge in a clear and meaningful way.

Teams will use the Scripter.cloud platform to assemble and develop their screenplay. Access to Scripter.cloud will be provided to participants free of charge for the challenge.

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4. Required 3D-Printed Prop

During the filmmaking workshops, each team must select a handheld object to be included in its film.

Teams do not need to provide an existing 3D model. Instead, they will provide an image of the object they would like to use. During the workshops, Film Lab 714 will help convert the submitted image into a 3D-printable model.

The resulting 3D-printed object must appear in the completed film as a recognizable on-screen prop.

The prop should be meaningfully incorporated into the film rather than appearing only as an unrelated background object.

The proposed object must be suitable for 3D printing within the time, size, material, and technical limitations of the event. Film Lab 714 may ask a team to simplify or modify its selected object if necessary.

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5. Film Runtime

Completed films must have a total runtime of at least 4 minutes and no more than 6 minutes.

The runtime includes opening titles and end credits.

Films shorter than 4 minutes or longer than 6 minutes may be considered ineligible for judging, awards, or screening.
 

6. Production Period

All principal photography must take place during the official challenge period.

Films must be submitted by the deadline communicated by the organizers.

Late submissions may be screened at the organizers’ discretion but may not be eligible for judging or awards.

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7. Original and Licensed Material

Teams must have permission to use everything included in their film, including:

• Performances

• Music

• Sound effects

• Artwork

• Photographs

• Logos

• Locations

• Stock footage

• Visual effects assets

• AI-generated material

• Any other copyrighted or third-party content

Original music, properly licensed music, royalty-free material, and material used with the copyright holder’s permission are permitted.

Teams are responsible for making sure that all submitted material may legally be used, screened, and promoted as part of the event.

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8. Actor and Location Releases

Every identifiable actor or on-camera participant must sign an actor release authorizing their appearance in the film and permitting the film to be screened and promoted by Film Lab 714.

A parent or legal guardian must sign the release for any participant under the age of 18.

Teams must also obtain permission to film at any privately owned location used in the production. Film Lab 714 may require teams to submit actor releases, location releases, music licenses, or other permissions before the film is accepted for screening.

A film may be declared ineligible if the team cannot demonstrate that it has the necessary permissions.
 

9. Artificial Intelligence and Digital Tools

Filmmakers may use editing software, visual effects tools, generative AI tools, virtual production tools, and other digital filmmaking technology.

However, the submitted film must remain an original work created by the participating team during the challenge period.

Teams are responsible for ensuring that their use of any software, model, service, asset, or generated material complies with the applicable license and terms of use.
 

10. PG Content Requirement

Families and guests of participants will be invited to attend the public screening. All submitted films must therefore be suitable for a PG audience.

Films should not contain:

• Strong or graphic violence

• Sexual content or nudity

• Strong profanity

• Graphic drug use

• Excessively frightening or disturbing imagery

• Hate speech or targeted harassment

• Content that unlawfully infringes another person’s rights

• Material that would generally be considered inappropriate for a PG community screening

Mild action, thematic material, suspense, and limited mild language may be acceptable when handled appropriately.

The organizers will make the final determination regarding whether a film is suitable for screening. Films that exceed the intended PG standard may be excluded from the screening and awards.
 

11. Safety

Safety must take priority over completing the film.

Participants must not:

• Trespass

• Perform dangerous stunts without appropriate supervision

• Use real weapons irresponsibly

• Interfere with traffic

• Place cast, crew, members of the public, or property at unnecessary risk

• Engage in illegal or dangerously reckless activity

Prop weapons must be handled responsibly and used only where legally permitted. Emergency services, law enforcement personnel, vehicles, uniforms, or equipment must not be imitated in a manner that could mislead or alarm the public.

Minors may participate only with appropriate parental permission and adult supervision.
 

12. Submission Requirements

Each team must submit one completed film in the format and through the submission method provided by the organizers.

Submissions must include:

• The film title

• The team name

• The names of all participating filmmakers

• Each participant’s primary production role or roles

• A complete cast and crew list

• All required actor releases

• Any required location releases

• Confirmation that the team has permission to use all material included in the film

• Any additional information requested by the organizers

Films must not include copyrighted studio logos, rating screens, music, graphics, or presentation material that the team does not have permission to use.
 

13. Judging

Films and participants may be evaluated according to criteria including:

• Storytelling

• Creativity

• Use of the official theme

• Use of the required 3D-printed prop

• Direction

• Acting

• Screenwriting

• Cinematography

• Editing

• Sound

• Visual effects

• Production design

• Teamwork

• Individual creative and technical contributions

• Overall execution

Technical polish may be considered, but judges will also consider how effectively participants used the available time, resources, and skills.

Because individual achievement is a major part of the challenge, judges may recognize an exceptional participant even if that participant’s team does not win the overall competition.

Judging decisions are final.
 

14. Prizes

Stand-Out Individual Award

The main prize, a Blackmagic Cinema Camera, will be awarded to the stand-out individual participant.

This award recognizes an exceptional contribution to a film or team. A participant may therefore win the camera even if their team does not win the overall competition.

Individual participants may be considered for their contribution in any filmmaking discipline, including directing, acting, writing, cinematography, editing, sound, visual effects, production design, producing, or another significant creative or technical role.

Second and Third Stand-Out Individuals

The second- and third-place stand-out individuals will each receive a DaVinci Resolve Studio license, valued at $299.

Winning Team

Every registered member of the winning team will receive a $100 Filmtools.com gift certificate.

Prize eligibility is limited to officially registered participants who meaningfully contributed to their team’s film.

Prizes are non-transferable and may not be exchanged for cash. Film Lab 714 reserves the right to substitute a prize with one of comparable value if circumstances beyond its control make the advertised prize unavailable.
 

15. Screening and Promotional Permission

By submitting a film, participants grant Film Lab 714 and its event partners permission to:

• Screen the film during the festival

• Display the film at related Film Lab 714 events

• Use reasonable excerpts from the film

• Use still images, film titles, team names, participant names, and behind-the-scenes material

• Promote the current event and future Film Lab 714 activities

The filmmakers retain ownership of their original film, subject to the rights they grant to Film Lab 714 for screening and promotional use.
 

16. Participant Responsibility

Each team is responsible for its own:

• Equipment

• Transportation

• Filming locations

• Cast and crew arrangements

• Meals during production

• Data management and backups

• Production expenses

• Insurance, where appropriate

Film Lab 714, its sponsors, venues, organizers, and partners are not responsible for lost footage, damaged equipment, missed deadlines, production expenses, injuries resulting from unsafe conduct, or disputes between team members.
 

17. Rule Violations

Failure to follow these rules may result in a film or participant being declared ineligible for screening, judging, or prizes.

The organizers reserve the right to resolve unforeseen circumstances and interpret these rules in a manner consistent with the purpose, fairness, safety, and creative spirit of the Film Lab 714 48-Hour Film Challenge.