48-Hour Film Project ends, winning entry to represent Dubai at Filmapalooza 2020

The annual 48-hour Film Project, Dubai concluded on November 11 with Estetico winning the Best Film of 2019 for A Moment. Second and third places were bagged by CallTime for Elementary Brilliance and North 24 for Red Flag respectively.

A Moment will go on to represent Dubai against all the other city winners around the world at Filmapalooza 2020.

UAE-based distributor Advanced Media organised the event alongside sponsors Sony Middle East and Movie Magic Screenwriter and supported by Dubai Film and TV Commission.

BroadcastPro ME was a proud media partner of the event. The 48-hour competition kicked off on October 17 at AM Studio in Al Quoz and all films were submitted within 48 hours on October 19, 2019. The competition, which spans more than 130 cities worldwide, gives participants a genre, a character, a prop, and a line of to use.

Commenting on his team Estetico’s win, cinematographer and director Noel Bassil said that while the experience was amazing, it was difficult to squeeze a job that ideally takes around two to three weeks into two days. “To squeeze it into 48 hours, the challenge itself was amazing because you start testing yourself and your capabilities,” Bassil said.

On participating in the 48-Hour Film Project, CallTime’s Ivor Gracias said that there is no time or planning in a 48-hour format. “But you know at the end of the day, after you finish it, submit it on time and watch the final edit, that you’ve done something,” Gracias said.

Speaking about his experience at the event, Nathan Root from North 24 said that the edit was very stressful as with normal shooting, there is a script and a plan. “But here, it’s really a big team effort. Everyone is putting their time and expertise for free. They’re doing it because they love the idea and want to do something creative,” Root said.