The AOTS 48 HR

The Action On The Side 48-hour film competition is back!

Last year, we ran the Ealing 48 (November 3-5, 2023). 11 teams competed, with over 100 people credited. Most of the teams were from London, with one based in Japan.

This year we’re running the competition from 8pm (UK Time) Friday 5th to 8pm Sunday 7th July 2024

Make a film in just 48 hours – Friday 5th to Sunday 7th July

Teams will have just 48 hours to write, shoot, edit, and submit a 5-7 minute short film. That isn’t the only challenge, of course — the film must be in an allocated genre, and must include the three random elements: a prop, a line of dialogue, and a shot or filmmaking technique. (Last year the genres were: Shakespearean, Superhero, War, Dystopian, Supernatural horror, Espionage / Spy Thriller; the prop was a photo frame; the line of dialogue was “the most important thing to remember is…”; the shot / filmmaking technique was a freeze frame).

This year’s competition is less than two weeks away!

Get your team together – or, if you don’t have a team and are based in London (so can attend the Kick-Off Event), individual filmmakers can register to join a team on the day.

The Kick-Off

The Kick-Off takes place 7pm-8pm Friday 5th July at House of Transformation in Haggerston. The Kick-Off is where we give tips for the competition, allocate the genres, and announce the three random elements.

The Kick-Off Event will be livestreamed and the submission is online, so teams can take part from anywhere in the world!

The Screening & Awards Event

Last year Screening and Awards were held at ActOne Cinema on 26th November 2023.

This year we return to ActOne Cinema in Acton for the Screening and Awards, on Sunday 4th August.

The Awards

The best films will screen at the cinema and will be up for awards, including BEST SCREENPLAY, BEST PERFORMANCE, BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY, BEST EDITING, BEST SOUNDTRACK, and … BEST FILM

Films are up for laurels, trophies, mentorship, and the cinema screening.

So what now…?

There are more details on on the Action On The Side website and that is where to register (as a team or as an individual).

I’m promoting this by myself, so any help to #signalboost and get the word out is greatly appreciated.

I’m looking forward to running the competition again and seeing the films that are made.

#aots48hr