Inland Empire, California November 6 - 8, 2020

Announcing the Winners

After much deliberation, our distinguished panel of judges has selected this year’s winning films. Congratulations to all of the filmmakers and teams who participated. We are proud to announce our winners.

Kudos to Theater Smoke Productions for winning Best Film of 2020. Their film Cuffed will go on to represent Inland Empire against all the other city winners around the world at Filmapalooza 2021.


1st Place: Best Film of 2020

Cuffed by Theater Smoke Productions

2nd Place: Best Film of 2020

Modern Family 2020 by Pryde Pierce Films

3rd Place: Best Film of 2020

Detective Cuthrew by Filmming Wizard Pictures

Required Elements

  • Character: Paul or Paula Zenzino, Magician
  • Prop: A flower or a bunch of flowers
  • Line: ""I want to say, "yes", but no." OR "I wanna say, "yes", but no.""

Audience Favorite: Group A

Modern Family 2020 by Pryde Pierce Films

Honorable Mention
Fatal Illusion by Tripawd Films

Audience Favorite: Group B

Cuffed by Theater Smoke Productions

Honorable Mention
Audition by Syndicate Productions

Best Writing

Cuffed by Theater Smoke Productions

Best Editing

Audition by Syndicate Productions

Best Directing

Cuffed by Theater Smoke Productions

Best Cinematography

Detective Cuthrew by Filmming Wizard Pictures

Best Sound Design

Keeping Magic by Iridescent Light Productions

Best Acting (in a leading role)

Modern Family 2020 by Pryde Pierce Films

Best Graphics

Fatal Illusion by Tripawd Films

Best Special Effects

Fatal Illusion by Tripawd Films

Best Choreography

Wait For It by Studio 7

Best Costumes

Modern Family 2020 by Pryde Pierce Films

Best Use of Character

Cuffed by Theater Smoke Productions

Best Use of Prop

UFC - Ultimate Food Challenge by AbsurdTV

Best Use of Line

Fatal Illusion by Tripawd Films

2020 Film List

  • 3 days , 2 nights by The Barnhouse

    Strangers on vacation are entrapped in a rainstorm with a peculiar caretaker they find themselves in tense and awkward situations.

  • 3 of a Kind by IEFC

    Bad things come in threes

  • Audition by Syndicate Productions

    After the tragic death of her fiance, a woman must find the strength to face her fears.

  • Cuffed by Theater Smoke Productions

    Finding himself in the back of a cop car, a failed magician attempts to woo the woman of his dreams.

  • Detective Cuthrew by Filmming Wizard Pictures

    To us this is a normal world, but for Detective Cuthrew this is his own madness, and with a case so strange you'll see that madness can only take a man so far.

  • Fatal Illusion by Tripawd Films

    Never trust a magician!

  • honey by Kidz in Masks Production

    In a world where magic is real, two men find themselves in a heated debate over the injustice of wrongful magic use.

  • Keeping Magic by Iridescent Light Productions

    A young magician is faced with a huge decision that jeopardizes his dreams and relationships.

  • Magic Travel by Van Haney Villa

    Magic and travel don't mix -- or do they?

  • Modern Family 2020 by Pryde Pierce Films

    Sometimes, even in 2020, things work out ok.

  • One Night Last Year by Flyingsquirrel Productions

    Once you find the truth. it's always never what you expect it to be till the end.

  • One Night Scam by BAT Team Entertainment

    I want to say yes but no

  • UFC - Ultimate Food Challenge by AbsurdTV

    Time travel can be dangerous when getting ingredients from another era.

  • Wait For It by Studio 7

    You'll have to wait for it.

  • Wanna See a Trick? by OAK Films

    Not all magic is good


Important Message: Copycat DisclaimerPrivacy Policy

Copyright © 2001-2023 48 Hour Film Project, Inc. All Rights Reserved