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Fast times: A cameraman for the FortySomeThings film team shoots in Singapore earlier this year. — File Photo |
HA NOI — The 48 Hour Film Project will gather 44 film crews from around the country in HCM City today for a wild and sleepless weekend in which each crew makes a movie in just 48 hours, from writing and shooting it, to editing and scoring.
The filmmakers begin tonight, and 48 hours later, the completed short films must be submitted. They will then be screened on November 7-9 at the City's MegaStar Cinemas.
An awards ceremony will be held at the HCM City Opera House on November 26 with prizes for Best Film, Best Actor and Best Director, and the winner will be screened at the next Filmapalooza at the Miami International Film Festival in the US in March.
Viet Nam's best short film will also be sent to the global 48 Hour Film Project and the 10 best films from around the world will be screened at the Cannes Film Festival in France next year.
In 2009, nearly 40,000 filmmakers made 3,000 films in 76 cities. This year marks the first time Vietnamese filmmakers will join in the project. The tight deadline of 48 hours emphasises creativity and teamwork skills, according to project organisers. While the time limit places an unusual restriction on the filmmakers, it is also liberating by putting an emphasis on "doing" instead of "talking".
The project's producer in Viet Nam, Ross Stewart, has been involved in arts and community projects for over 20 years and now, after spending seven years in Viet Nam, wants to bring this project experience to the Vietnamese community.
"I'm very excited about the emerging contemporary arts scene in HCM City and I'm looking forward to helping with more projects in the future," Stewart said. — VNS