1. What is the Four Points Film Project?
The Four Points Film Project (4PFP) is your chance to stop talking and start filming! The premise? Filmmaking teams have just one weekend to make a short film. All creativity — writing, shooting, editing and adding a musical soundtrack — must occur in a 77 hour window beginning Friday evening at 7:00pm and ending Monday at midnight.
2. How much does it cost?
The registration fee is for the entire team varies from $125 to $175 per team, as follows:
- Early Bird registration: $125USD
- Regular registration: $150USD
- Late registration: $165USD
3. If I have to drop out, how do I withdraw?
48 Hour Film Project Refunds in the United States
If a team (Entrant) must withdraw, refunds will be paid on the following schedule:
- Notify the 48HFP more than 30 days prior to your competition weekend, receive a full refund minus a $25 administrative fee.
- Notify the 48HFP 7-30 days prior to your competition weekend, receive a full refund minus a $35 administrative fee.
- No refunds less than 7 days prior to Kickoff event.
NOTE #2: In lieu of a refund, Registration may be transferred to a different City Project (depending on availability) or credited to the following year at no charge. This request must be made through the Withdraw link below at least seven (7) days prior to Kickoff.
The 48HFP Refund Policy may vary in other countries.
To Withdraw
To withdraw and, if eligible, request a refund or a transfer, the team leader must complete this request form:
https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/QWBUgL
4. When will the Four Points Film Project come to my city?
The Four Points Film Project occurs world-wide [project:label-weekend].
5. What are the films about?
That's up to the filmmaker; however, each team will receive two genres to select from for its movie.
In addition, teams are given a character, a prop and a line of dialogue that must appear in their film.
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6. Who sees the films?
All of the films eligible for competition are screened by a panel of entertainment industry professionals.
Additionally, the top 15 films are placed online for the world to view and vote for their top favorite.
7. Who are the filmmakers?
The Four Points Film Project is open to all filmmakers, pro and novice alike. Rules state that all team members (crew and cast) must be volunteers. Most teams consist of film and video professionals. And teams have attracted some top talent on both sides of the camera.
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8. Is there a limit to the number of people on a team?
No. Our smallest team was just one person—he sets up the camera then runs around to act. Our largest team to date was a team from Albuquerque with 116 people and 30 horses! The average, though, is about 15 people per team.9. Am I allowed to be on more than one team?
Yes, you're allowed. We hope you can make the scheduling work out!See Also
10. How long are the films?
The films are short; they must be a minimum of 4 minutes and a maximum of 7 minutes long Short is good. Not only are shorter films tighter and usually more interesting, they are more marketable.
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11. Where and when are they shown?
The top 15 films as determined by the 4PFP organizers are placed online for public viewing shortly after the end of the filmmaking period.
12. How is the event advertised?
The event is advertised by word of mouth, on the web, and via local press. Local filmmakers and organizations are our most vocal supporters and do a great job spreading the word.
13. What should I do with my film after the competition?
Get it out there! Enter it into festivals, play it in public screenings, upload it to websites, get it on television, and show it to anyone you can. Be sure you abide by any restrictions in the Team Leaders's Agreement.See Also
14. May I show a modified version of my film?
Yes, presuming that the showing adheres to the Team Leader's Agreement that you signed when entering the Four Points Film Project. If it is a modified version of a Four Points Film Project film, please include a title card and a mention in the end credits that say:
The concept for this film developed during the Four Points Film Project. www.48hourfilm.com/4pfp
15. Is this a contest and will there be a "Best of" selection?
Yes and yes. One film will be chosen as Best Four Points Film Project Film.
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16. Will I win?
Depends on what you mean by winning. Countless filmmakers over the years have told us that the Four Points Film Project weekend was fantastic. They loved getting to use their creative talents; they had fun with their friends; and they made a film, too! So if winning means having a great time, you've got a very good shot at it.
Additionally, we’re limiting the total number of entries to 200 this year, so you’ve got a 1 in 13 chance of your film making it to the online audience voting.
17. Will I get rich?
Probably not. As far as we know, no one has made much money selling a Four Points Film Project film. However, some of our 4PFP filmmakers have had success with their films in other festivals and filmmakers have used recognition from their Four Points Film Project film to get paying work.
Additionally, we at the Four Points Film Project have set up an arrangement whereby if we're able to earn money by distributing your film, you will receive a portion of that money. We believe our arrangement is fair and equitable. As you may know, the market for short films is nearly non-existent. However, we do garner more interest in our films because of the concept and the fact that they are part of a bigger collection. So, while folks have lots of fun doing the Four Points Film Project, they don't make lots of money.
18. Who judges the films?
We gather a group of film and video professionals to serve as our judges.
These judges generally have extensive experience within the field. We require these judges to be fair and impartial. Our judges donate their time and talent to rate the films.
No matter how careful we are in selecting our judges, judging itself is extremely subjective. So many times, two regarded critics feel markedly differently about the same film—remember the long debate between Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert about Apocalypse Now; remember Pauline Kael's ambivalent review of Star Wars. Similarly, on several occasions our favorite Four Points Film Project film of the year has not even won. When it comes to evaluating art, a lot comes down to matters of taste.
19. Can I or my organization be a sponsor?
Of course! Email Mark Ruppert, our Founder, to express interest.20. Does the maximum length of the film include credits?
No. Your film may be 7 minutes long plus 1 minute of credits.
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21. Are credits in the beginning permissible?
Opening credits are allowed. They do not count against the credit time limit. However, they do count against the 7 minutes of film. Remember, the audience is here to watch, not read.
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22. Are we allowed to have footage under our closing credits?
Yes, however, the narrative must end before the closing credits begin. So outtakes, Ferris-Bueller-like antics, or bonus scenes are allowed. But if we removed the credits, the movie should still feel complete.See Also
23. Are stock footage and photos allowed?
Stock film and video footage is prohibited, except as part of a special effects filter. However, if you have the rights to them, then stock photos are permitted. In other words, you may use photos not taken during the 48 hour time period. Note that photos cannot be used in sequence to create the illusion of motion.See Also
24. Is animation allowed?
Yes. However—while you may use still drawings created before the Project—you may not use sequences of drawings created before the Project to create the illusion of motion. Using existing images and 3D objects is permissible, provided that you have full and permanent rights to them. Again, only animation created during the 77 hour period is allowed. And, as with a live action film, you must have all rights to the animation you submit.See Also
25. What about special effects? What's allowed?
You may use special effects that involve any of the allowed elements that you have rights to: still photographs, footage shot during the 77 hours, or footage rendered during the 77 hours. You may also use stock footage if it is part of a post-production effect or on a background screen or television and the stock footage is placed over or under footage that is shot within the 77 hours. Stock footage of people or other performers is not allowed.See Also
26. May we include our logo that was made before the filmmaking weekend?
Yes, provided that it begins the film and is shorter than five seconds long. Note that the logo does count against the 7 minute running time of the film.See Also
27. Should we shoot in HD? Should we shoot in widescreen? Should we use surround sound?
Your film will be screened for the judges online in 720 High Definition in stereo or mono. So you may shoot in HD or use surround sound, but the film will generally not be screened that way.
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28. Do I need to subtitle my film?
Subtitling your film is not required. However, if your film is in a language other than English, it is highly recommended to add subtitles. The common judging language will be English, and if the judges cannot understand your film, they are less likely to give it awards.
29. Does every team member have to sign the Team Leader's Agreement?
No, only the team leader needs to sign it. However, everyone who works on the film must sign the Liability Waiver form. See the production documents page for more details.See Also
30. What's a logline?
A logline is a very short, catchy summary of the story, usually not longer than one sentence. We ask you to provide a logline for your film on the Wrap Up Form. EXAMPLE: Transported to a surreal landscape, a young girl seeks a way home to Kansas, befriending along the way a scarecrow without a brain, a tin woodsman without a heart, and a lion without courage.See Also
31. Can we submit a faxed release form?
Yes. If you are working with someone out of town, they may email or fax you their release. Simply include a paper copy of it with the rest of your paperwork.
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32. How do we document public domain or royalty-free music and photos?
Have the person who has the rights to the music or materials sign the release form. In the case of royalty-free materials, this is the person who purchased them. In the case of public domain materials, this could be anyone on the team. Please also include information that shows your rights to the music or materials, such as a license, a purchase receipt, or a statement by the author.
