Even Peter Jackson doubts he could make a film in 48 hours - especially ones as accomplished as those produced by film-makers in the V48Hours film competition.
"Every year there are great movies. You see people who are being incredibly inventive and I think, 'there is no way I could make that in 48 hours'. I'm full of admiration," he says.
Jackson, who talked to TimeOut last week during a break in filming for The Hobbit, has been involved with 48Hours since 2005. Each year he selects three wildcard entries that go forward to the final.
His picks this year were hilarious art heist Daylight Robbery by Auckland's Goodfellas, animated romantic comedy Love In Decay by Mukpuddy (also from Auckland) and clever "One Shot" super-hero film Hannah Repus by Christchurch team The Outwits.
He was especially impressed with the latter's clever time-travelling trickery.
"It sidestepped the one-shot rule by hitting the rewind button and going back in time. Rules are made to be broken and that sort of stuff is great."
However, he says, overall he judges his favourites not on technical ability but on originality and whether they tell a good story.
"At the end of the day, I don't sit down and analyse them, I let them play out and pick the films that I enjoy."
* nzherald.co.nz will be streaming the V48Hours Grand National Final live from the Civic Theatre on Saturday night. For more information click here.
- TimeOut