KEY POINTS:
Sunday night television finally has a real talent show. And unlike Pop's Ultimate Star, it will be over in just one strange and thrilling evening as the V 48hours Live Grand Final takes over C4 for the night.
Hosted by Jaquie Brown and featuring a cameo appearance by
wildcard judge Peter Jackson, who has apparently filmed a little something for the night featuring a famous friend, the night will give viewers a chance to text vote for their favourite short films from the best of the 500 seven-minute efforts made all over the country in one mad May weekend.
The public vote counts for 30 per cent towards the final result against the 70 per cent scoring of the 40 or so judges teams in the various regions who have now seen all the contenders.
Jackson selected three wildcard finalists which didn't win their regional finals, allowing a second chance for one Auckland film and two Wellington entries.
And if you don't want to watch it all by yourself, there are bars in the various centres where you can go along and be part of the fun (see venues in Lowdown below) and cheer on your local team(s).
As well as giving the overall winner a prize pack worth $35,000-plus in a mix of cash grants and professional film services (various branches of the Jackson empire have chipped in more than $15,000 toward the prize), there are prizes for best cinematography (a Panasonic camera worth over $10,000), the "V Most Manic Performance" ($1000 cash), the "Instant Kiwi Prize Most Thrilling Moment" ($2000 cash) and "Best Damn National Teen Team Award" ($1000 cash) for the best team under the age of 17.
The Contenders
CAMP FEAR
By Team Mukpuddy (Auckland)
Animated horror about two camping monsters.
THE PLAYGROUND
By Taktix Films (Hamilton)
A spooky tale of things that go creak in the woods.
ONE MAN'S WAR
by Kairangi Productions (Gisborne, Tairawhiti)
A tongue-in-cheek battle of the sexes.
MAORI DETECTIVE AND THE BOOGIE FEVER
by Team Good Times (Wellington)
Funkadelic slice of grindhouse set in the capital.
CARBOYS AND THE INDIAN
by The Outwits (Christchurch)
Evil car rustlers meet their match in the ghost of Burt Munro.
BAIN: THE MUSICAL
by Burt Hall Banana Republic (Dunedin)
A barbershop-esque musical of a familiar case which stars a TV3 reporter in its chorus line.
LEASE
by Lense Flare (Auckland, Peter Jackson Wildcard)
A musical where a singer-songwriter, a metalhead and an emo live together. Stars Shortland Street newcomer Johnny Barker
WHORE COP 3: NIGHT JUSTICE
by Three Dicks (Wellington, Peter Jackson Wildcard)
Filthy grindhouse action about a dirty cop who moonlights as a prostitute.
SHOOTING STAR
by Will She Wait (Wellington, Peter Jackson Wildcard)
A hip-hop tragedy where a rising rapper's life falls apart after a hit and run.
Lowdown
What: V 48Hours Live Grand Final
When & where: C4, Sunday 8.30pm
Venues to watch it at: For watching the final in good company which may include some of the competing teams ... Auckland - The Winchester (formerly The Pinnacle Club), St Benedict St, Newton; Hamilton - Le Dome,Victoria St; Wellington - The Establishment, cnr Courtenay Pl and Blair St)