Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands – Registration is open for the 48 Hour Film Project which challenges local filmmakers to make a short film in only two days. The competition is part of the CayFilm Cayman International Film Festival which takes place from June 30th to July 3rd at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. The films will all be screened at the Festival on Saturday, July 1st, and the winner will be announced at the CayFilm awards ceremony on Monday, July 3rd.
The successful film will go up against other films from around the world at Filmapalooza 2018 for a chance at the grand prize, and an opportunity to screen at the Cannes Film Festival in 2018.
Last year five teams entered the competition. They were required to write the script, rehearse, do costume, set and sound design, shoot and edit within the 48-hour time frame. In addition, each participating group was given required elements that must appear in their four to seven-minute film – a specific genre, character, prop and line of dialogue. The finished products were judged by a panel that included actress Zoe Saldana and Caymanian filmmaker Frank E. Flowers.
“Black Sheep: The Skip Sullivan Story” was Cayman’s 2016 48 Hour Film Project winner. A mockumentary about an aspiring sheepherder, the short film was directed by Brittany Kelly and featured Cassandra Shea and Caroline Neale as the lead actors. Other team members were Rawly Mars, Lori Speirs, Karlie Lovinggood, Theodore Kelly Jr. and Philip Neale-Bodden.
“I love the 48 Hour Film Project experience. It’s a great way to push yourself to make a film, and I was really excited to have the opportunity to do it in Cayman,” said Kelly. “Going to Filmapalooza to see my film screened was both inspiring and educational. Attending a festival where everyone had the same crazy, manic 48 hours to make their movie, and seeing the results, was an eye-opener. I learned that I’m definitely going to have to step up my game. I think the 48 Hour Film project is something every filmmaker should do at least once.”
“I’ve done the 48 Hour Film Project many times, and it is always a good time,” said CayFilm Festival Director Tony Mark. “Whether you’ve been making movies for years or you’re just starting out, it’s a great test of your creativity, your ability to work in a team under stressful conditions and your physical endurance. It’s just a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to see the pieces that are produced.”
Registration for the 48 Hour Film Project is CI$125 and is open until Friday, 23 June. Interested filmmakers can log on to http://www.48hourfilm.com/grandcayman/48hfp for more information or email info@cayfilm.com.
The CayFilm Cayman International Film Festival takes place from June 30th to July 3rd, and includes daily film screenings, question and answer sessions with filmmakers, panel discussions, workshops, a celebrity gala event and an awards ceremony. Both VIP and General Admission tickets are on sale and available at Cathy Church’s Photo Centre and online at cayfilm.com.
CayFilm 2017 is sponsored by Audi Cayman, Ministry of Tourism, Department of Tourism and is made possible with a grant from the Cayman National Cultural Foundation.
About CayFilm Cayman International Film Festival
CayFilm Cayman International Film Festival is an annual multi-day spectacular event designed to create new interest and excitement about the Cayman Islands as a world-class filming destination. Included in the festival will be daily film screenings, question and answer sessions with filmmakers, panel discussions, workshops, exclusive premiere screenings, and two celebrity gala events. It is our vision to open up the Cayman Islands to the film industry around the world whilst opening up the world to Cayman’s young and aspiring filmmakers.
The Festival team is also working to develop the Cayman Media Academy (CMA) under the CayFilm umbrella to educate Cayman’s youth by offering classes and qualifications relating to different career fields within the industry. This will be run throughout the year with the eventual goal of having a full-time degree programme available at our own purpose-built facility. Young children will have their own specially designed programmes to inspire and give confidence about their own unique abilities as filmmakers.
