Think you can make a movie in 48 hours? So far, 47 teams with 68 filmmakers from Texas, New Mexico and Mexico have registered to try to make a short film as part of the “Reimagining Borders” 48-Hour Film Challenge between Feb. 26 and Feb. 28.
The film challenge is part of the 2021 Las Cruces International Film Festival. The sixth annual LCIFF, presented by New Mexico State University and Visit Las Cruces, will run from March 3-7. NMSU’s Southwest and Border Cultures Institute and NMSU’s Creative Media Institute are partnering with the film festival to sponsor the contest.
“Just as the global pandemic has been forcing us to adapt and find new and creative ways of doing things, this challenge is asking participants to tap into their creativity, resilience and resourcefulness, and make films in new ways,” said Ilana Lapid, CMI professor who organizes the event to support local filmmakers. “Sometimes it is the limitations and challenges we face that bring out our most creative selves. This is true in life, as much as in art.”
There is still time to sign up before the clock starts at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26. Register at https://cutt.ly/mkpbbXw and receive an invitation and Zoom link to the kickoff event by email. All entries must be uploaded by 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28. The first-place film will be awarded $400, second place, $250, and third place, $100. There will also be an audience award of $100.
Three NMSU film students pulled together a short film in 48 hours to demonstrate the process. Roman Sanchez III, Christian Sermeño and Mario Valencia will screen their six-minute movie titled “Get Through This” at the kickoff event for the contest. See their film at https://youtu.be/3hdbrVypZXM.
“The hardest part was figuring out how we can tell a story when we can’t meet each other in person,” said Sanchez, an NMSU junior who wrote and directed the film. “I think making a film during the pandemic is even more challenging because we had to get creative on how we could collaborate from different locations and cities. Making a film in 48 hours more than anything taught me how to adapt to our restrictions and embrace them. I ultimately wanted to spread a message of positivity and emphasize that we will get through this.”
“I believe that the 48 hours allowed us to not overthink any ideas since we were under a time constraint,” said Sermeño who will graduate from NMSU in December. “We wanted to portray a positive and uplifting message while also allowing people to relate to the struggle we have all gone through this year.”
“By nature, filmmakers are creative problem solvers,” said Amy Lanasa, CMI professor and department head. “When you’re on set, you see a group of people coming together to solve a problem, which is the act of making a film. So, the compressed time of having to write, shoot and edit a film in 48 hours brings out the best creative problem solving, in my experience.”
Valencia, who will graduate from NMSU in December, agreed with Lanasa. “I believe that when a time constraint is placed on the set, people have to be on the top of their game, and improvising all the time with fresh and creative ideas.”
NMSU students also learned the business-side of film promotion. Kyle Ivy, a CMI student majoring in Digital Filmmaking and graduating in spring 2021, said serving as public relations director for the 48-hour challenge was an eye-opener. “Transitioning the once in-person event to an online event allows us to reach a larger audience and to attract teams that may not have been able to travel from the borderland area in previous years.”
Successfully completed films will be screened online for 48 hours during the festival beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, March 5. Winners will be announced at the film festival awards ceremony on March 6. All completed films will be eligible for a jury or audience award. Audience voting will be open for the first 24 hours of the LCIFF screening block (5 p.m. March 5 to 5 p.m. March 6).
"The 48-hour film contest is an important part of the Las Cruces International Film Festival,” said Ross Marks, CMI professor and executive director of the festival. “This year's contest is particularly rewarding as now more than ever we need to find ways to express ourselves. Our solution to feeling alone and isolated during this pandemic is simple...make a movie safely and creatively."