48 hour film competition

register a team

write, shoot + edit a film in only 48 hours this March 13-15th.

Form a team or go it alone, with over $2,500 in prizes including $500 to the “Best 48 Hour Film” + $500 to the voted for by you “Audience Award” winner, register for our biggest 48 hour competition today.

Each team registration includes two tickets to the screening of the 48 hour films on March 27th at The Reach.

The 48 Hour Film Competition is only possible thanks to our incredible sponsors.

The Rules

1) All entrants must be 19+


All core team members must be 19+ years of age. If you obtain parental consent, you can use actors under 19 years of age, but they will not be able to attend the screening. The Abbotsford Film Festival is a 19+ event.

2) Competition times + format


The competition begins Friday March 13th at 6pm. An email will be sent out to all registered teams containing the key components that need to be included in the 48 hour films. (This is to ensure films can not be made ahead of time). These components may include story elements, lines of dialogue, props etc.

The competition ends at 6pm Sunday March 15th. All completed films must be sent via email or digital transfer to info@affest.ca by no later than the 6pm deadline. Films that miss the deadline will be ineligible for awards.

Films must be no longer than 5 minutes 30 seconds max. (5 minutes of film and 30 seconds of credits). Films must be made in the 48 hour window.

Selected completed films will screen at the closing night of the festival on March 27th.

3) Awards


To be eligible for awards and prizes, all teams must have a minimum of one team member at the screening on Saturday March 27th. There will be a minimum of six awards chosen by an external jury, these include:

- Best 48 Hour Film ($500 prize)
- Best Director
- Best Actor
- Best Actress
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing

There will also be an “Audience Choice” award with a $500 prize. This award will be voted by attendees after the screenings on Saturday March 27th. The winner will be announced at 9pm.

All cash prizes will be sent via e-transfer. (Canadian banks only).

4) Tickets + Attendance


All registered teams are provided TWO TICKETS to the Saturday March 27th screening. This is included in the $45 team registration.

If additional team members or friends would like to come please ensure they book their tickets ahead of time. (We have sold out each year so booking ahead is recommended).

5) Creativity + Equipment


Like other 48 hour competitions, the Abbotsford Film Festival does not provide any cameras or tools. Filmmakers must use what is at their disposal. Borrow or use your own equipment to make the best films you can. The competition is a celebration of creativity in our community… so get creating!

6) Eligibility


48 Hour Films must NOT be shown or shared online before the official Saturday September 6th screening. If they are then they will be ineligible for awards + may not be screened.

7) Awards, Judges + Decision Makers


All technical awards, including Best 48 Hour Film, are judged by external industry professionals. The judges for the 6th edition will be announced soon.

All judges have no affiliation with the Abbotsford Film Festival to ensure impartiality.

The “Audience Choice Award” is voted for by all attendees on Saturday September 6th. The votes are handed in after the final film screens, then tallied up by the Abbotsford Film Festival team. The winner is announced after the first set during the live music performances.