48Hours ‘part of any Kiwi filmmaker’s journey’

MARKING 20 YEARS: The Vista Foundation 48Hours provides an entry point into filmmaking and is an opportunity for budding filmmakers to get creative.

Locals now have just five days before registrations for New Zealand's largest guerrilla filmmaking competition draw to a close.

The Vista Foundation 48Hours is the longest-running and largest short film event in New Zealand and this year will be the 20th year of the competition.

Gisborne City manager Tom Paton said the region has been a huge part of the journey so far and this year is shaping up to be the best one yet.

“The great and challenging thing about this competition is that it's open to anyone and everyone, regardless of experience or skill level. It's such an important part of any Kiwi filmmaker's journey,” he said.

Filmmakers have just 48 hours to write, shoot and edit a film. The creatives then compete for awards and the title of Grand National Champion.

Paton said it was great to have so many school teams register every year.

“Thanks to the dedicated teachers who love getting their students involved year after year.

“The Vista Foundation 48Hours recognises this and helps support our rangatahi filmmakers by providing school teams a two for one entry and tertiary teams a 50 percent discount.”

“It's all about getting a crew together, creating a film in a weekend and having a blast doing it,” Paton said.

Previous entrants include Taika Waititi who directed this year's Hollywood blockbuster Thor: Love and Thunder.

“Of course we could mention that Sir Peter Jackson personally watches a handful of wildcard entries to win a special award. Or the fact that in 2022 they have over $90,000 in prizes and the winner will walk away with over $60,000 in cash and services towards making their next film.”

The Vista Foundation 48Hours is presented in association with Te Tuma Whakaata Taonga/New Zealand Film Commission.

Registrations close in less than a week, so squad up and get registered before you miss out on what will be a furious weekend of filmmaking.

For more details visit www.48hours.co.nz