Apr 15, 2020
NOTE: COMPLETELY SOLD OUT – NO SPOTS LEFT – REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED!
Registration for a special 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic Edition of the Winnipeg Film Group (WFG) 48 Hour Film Contest is NOW CLOSED.

Registration for a special 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic Edition of the Winnipeg Film Group (WFG) 48 Hour Film Contest is NOW CLOSED.
As in previous years, filmmakers will have 48 hours to write, shoot, cut and deliver a 4-minute-long film, however, with a pandemic going on, things are going to be a bit different, so read on.
YOU MUST READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THE GUIDELINES DETAILED BELOW BEFORE YOU REGISTER. READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THE GUIDELINES DETAILED BELOW BEFORE YOU MAKE AND DELIVER YOUR FILM.
GUIDELINES
- Your film MUST be self-isolation themed.
- As the WFG is currently on lock-down, you will be required to use your own production and post-production equipment as we are not set-up to rent equipment, space, and services.
- To be safe, you MUST make your film by strictly employing physical/social distancing practices as per the province of Manitoba’s guidelines HERE.
- Your cast and crew should be extremely minimal and you MUST utilize them by strictly employing physical/social distancing practices as per the province of Manitoba’s guidelines HERE.
- If you shoot at home and reside in a domicile that has more residents than yourself, you will need to cast/crew accordingly in order to strictly employ physical/social distancing practices. In some cases, this might mean a cast and crew of one (yourself). Again, refer to all the Manitoba Provincial guidelines HERE.
- We urge you to use original music either composed for you or from a local band that you like. You MUST have permission to use the music for the film.
- REMEMBER: you will need the music in advance of shooting your film so you can have it handy for editing during the 48-hour period of production/post-production.
- If you need assistance finding a composer or band, please visit the Manitoba Music Directory of local artists HERE.
- The cost of registration is $30 per team. Please PAY your registration fee HERE. Payment can only be accepted online via credit card or PayPal. NOTE: If you try to pay and our system rejects your payment, this means ALL spots have been filled.
- Registration is ONLINE ONLY.
- Registration is limited. Only one registration/film per team. Deadline: Monday, May 18, 2020 | 12:00pm NOON or when allowed registrants meets maximum capacity.
- The contest will take place on from 5:00pm, Friday, June 19, 2020 to 5:00pm, Sunday, June 21, 2020.
- IMPORTANT: YOU WILL NEED THE “KEY” TO PARTICIPATE. At 4:00pm on Friday, June 19, 2020, you will be emailed a special “key” to the competition – a strict requirement/inclusion that MUST be used in your film (in addition to the aforementioned theme of “self-isolation”). The “key” will be a word that must be used in the film (in any fashion) and/or a specific shot and/or a specific style of cut.
- Your film MUST be delivered to the WFG no later than Sunday, June 21, 2020 at 5:00pm. An email address for delivery will be provided in advance of the contest.
- Your film MUST be uploaded to your own password-protected Vimeo account with a download option or via WeTransfer.
- IMPORTANT: The running time of your film CANNOT exceed four (4) minutes. There are NO exceptions to this rule.
This year’s COVID-19 Pandemic Edition of the Winnipeg Film Group (WFG) 48 Hour Film Contest will feature a curated program at the Gimli Film Festival (GFF) this summer via GFF’s online on-demand service. There will be audience awards via online voting. This will be followed by an online theatrical run of all entries via WFG’s Cinematheque at Home
If you have any questions, feel free to contact the WFG’s Executive Director, Greg Klymkiw at director@winnipegfilmgroup.com


