Filmmaking Rules

1. Times

   Specific to 48 HFP x Imagine

   The 48 HFP x Imagine (48HFP_X_IMAGINE) will occur in cities around the world on select weekends throughout the year.

   The 48 HFP x Imagine will occur between a 金曜日 19:00 local time and the following 日曜日 19:00 local time. This is the Official Filmmaking Weekend. (Days of the competition may vary in some countries.)

   The participating team must complete its film/video work in time to submit it on 日曜日, usually by 19:30. After kickoff, check your team dashboard for a countdown to your exact deadline.

   Only works that meet the deadline and adhere to the rules will be officially part of the competition and eligible for awards. However, all films received on 日曜日 (on-time and late) will be screened and will be eligible for the Audience Award voting.

2. Creative Process

   All creativity must take place during the Official Filmmaking Weekend. Any creative work in advance of the competition weekend is prohibited. Creative work includes, but is not limited to:

   • Writing the script
   • Casting
   • Rehearsing
   • Costume/Set Design
   • Shooting
   • Editing
   • Sound Design
   • Rendering

3. Preparation

   The only work to begin prior to the Official Filmmaking Weekend is:

   • Organizing Crew
   • Organizing Cast
   • Securing and testing Equipment
   • Scouting/Securing Locations

4. Footage

   “Core Footage" Every frame of your film MUST contain footage shot or created in the Official Filmmaking Weekend. This is "Core Footage."

   "Supporting footage", or footage shot or created BEFORE the Official Filmmaking Weekend (including stock footage that is part of a special effect) may be placed over or under the core footage, as long as every frame of your film contains some amount of core footage and the assembling of the core footage with the supporting footage occurs during the Official Filmmaking Weekend.

   Supporting footage MAY NOT include people or other performers unless the Supporting Footage was shot during a previous 48HFP Official Filmmaking Weekend for a previously-submitted 48HFP film.

   Animation, titles, and special effects can be considered core footage if created during the Official Filmmaking Weekend. (See the A.I. rule relating to footage created using Artificial Intelligence.)

   Still photos or postcards are permitted as core footage. The still photos do not need to be created during the Official Filmmaking Weekend. Note: Still photos created outside of the Official Filmmaking Weekend being used in a sequence to create the illusion of motion are not acceptable as core footage, but are acceptable as supporting footage.

   You must have rights to all materials (footage, photos, images, artwork, etc.) used in your film. A 48HFP Materials Release is required for all materials, photos, and/or footage not created in the Official Filmmaking Weekend.

5. Use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in Your 48 Entry

   Prohibited Uses of AI

   The following uses of AI are not permitted under any circumstances:

   1. AI-Generated Visual Content

      • No AI-generated footage or video may appear in the film for either core footage or supporting footage.

   2. AI-Generated Performances

      • AI-generated characters, actors, or digital humans are not permitted.
        (examples: AI-generated humans, animals or inanimate objects are prohibited.)
      • AI-generated voiceover, dialogue, or character voices are not permitted.

   3. Required Elements
      AI may not be used to generate or create the required Character, Prop or Line of Dialogue.

   Permitted Uses of AI

   AI tools may be used for the following purposes only:

   • Scriptwriting assistance (idea generation, outlining, or drafting)
   • Still Image creation
   • Music creation
   • Editing tools and post-production assistance (including color correction, audio cleanup, visual effects tools, and similar functions embedded in editing software)

   You may not use AI to create any part of your entry prior to the Official Filmmaking Weekend.

   ---

   You must list all AI apps/software used in your film on your Wrap Up Form.

   Anything created using AI (scripts, music, stills, effects, etc. must adhere to the following:

   • You may only use AI in ways that are legal in your jurisdiction.
   • You must have the legal rights to all material used in your film. Any AI output that incorporates copyrighted material without proper permission is not allowed.

6. Kickoff Event

   Each participating team must have a representative at the official Kickoff Event of the 48 Hour Film Project, as listed on your city's webpage.

   Prior to the Kickoff event, each team must upload a completed Team Leader's Agreement, signed by its team leader. A team may not participate without submitting this agreement.

   At the Kickoff, each team will receive its filmmaking assignment.

7. Filmmaking Assignment - Required Elements

   Specific to 48 HFP x Imagine

   Each participating team will be assigned required elements that must appear in its film, including a genre, a character, a prop and/or a line of dialogue.

   • The genre for each team will be determined in a random drawing. The team’s film submission must be in the genre it was assigned (or in the case of being assigned two genres, then in one of the genres it is assigned). The genre may be combined with another genre or genres, if the team desires. It must be clear to the judges that the film is in its assigned genre. The full list of genres may be found on the Special Genres page of the website by scrolling to the bottom of the page.
   • The required Character must be seen on-screen and it must be clear--either directly shown or by context--who the required character is. The Character name does not need to be spoken or displayed on-screen. The Character may may be shown in full or in part; may appear in a photograph or another representation, as long as it is clear that the required Character is present.
   • The required Prop must be seen on-screen.
   • A picture of the required prop is allowed.
   • The required Line of Dialogue must be used verbatim. It may be spoken, sung and/or written. It may be in any language, though if it is unclear that it is the required Line, there must be a translation.
   • To qualify as an Official Entry, each team's film must be in the genre it is assigned, and must contain all required elements within the official time limit and prior to the credits.

8. Volunteers

   All cast and crew must be volunteers.

9. Safety

   • Cast and Crew Safety: The team leader and each member of the team must make safety a priority throughout the filmmaking weekend. This includes ensuring that all production and shooting takes place in a safe environment.
   • Animal safety: Like cast and crew safety, is an important part of 48 Hour Filmmaking. Films that result in the death or mutilation of an animal may be disqualified.

10. Cameras

    Any type of video or film camera may be used. There is no limit to the number of cameras.

11. Landmark Requirement

    First Time Cities only: Each film must include a landmark (building, monument, etc.) or identifying characteristic (e.g., bus, city office) of the competition city. (Note: The landmark or characteristic must exist inside city limits.) This rule applies only the first time the 48HFP visits a city.

12. Music Rights

    Participating teams are encouraged to work with a composer and/or musicians to write and record music for the film. It is permissible for a participating team to use pre-recorded music; however, the participating team must have the rights to any music used in its film and must provide releases for all music used. As with music, pre-recorded sound effects are allowed, but you must have rights to use them.

    Note: Song parodies (i.e., use of identifiable pre-existing compositions with new or altered lyrics or music) may not be included in the film without a signed release from the composition's rights holder. This rule applies without regard to whether the song parody arguably constitutes fair use under US or international copyright law.

13. Total Running Time

    The finished film must be a minimum of 4 minutes in duration, and a maximum of 7 minutes in duration—not including end credits. In other words, the official running time begins after the required 48HFP slates and ends prior to the end credits. The required slates and the end credits do not count towards the minimum time of 4 minutes. The film story may not be longer than 7 minutes. 48HFP reserves the right to shorten any film that exceeds the maximum length for screening purposes.

14. Credits

    Specific to 48 HFP x Imagine

    Pre-film Required Slates

    Before the finished film begins, the media should have...

    • 5 seconds of black

    • 5 seconds title card with: team name, title, genre, city, and date

    • 5 seconds title card with: This film was made for the 48 HFP x Imagine 2026.
      www.48hourfilm.com OR the animated bumper (6 seconds).

    • 2 seconds of black

    Your film follows this.

    Any music placed under the 48HFP required slates above will count towards your 7 minute maximum length.

    Templates for these titles and the animated bumper can be found on your Team Dashboard. It is not required to use our templates, you may create your own as long as the timing and information remains the same.

    Opening Credits

    After the Pre-Film Required Slates, some films start with opening credits. Though not encouraged, if used, opening credits are considered to be part of the film, and therefore count against the seven-minute maximum. Additionally, if your film has opening credits other than simply the film's title (for example, the names of directors, actors, etc.), you must include the text a 48 HFP x Imagine.

    End Credits

    Credits at the end of each film are limited to a maximum of 60 seconds. The 60 seconds is considered additional to the length of the film, as stated above. (That is, a film may be 7 minutes long, with an additional 60 seconds of credits, for a total running time of 8 minutes.) 48HFP reserves the right to shorten any end credits that exceed the maximum length for screening purposes.

    Bloopers and/or behind the scenes are permitted during or after the end credits adhering to the 60 second maximum length.

    The end credits must include the words:
    This film was made for the 48 HFP x Imagine.
    www.48hourfilm.com

    Slates And Credits After The Competition

    For any future screenings, online or otherwise, films should retain the pre-film title card that says:
    This film was made for the 48 HFP x Imagine 2026.
    www.48hourfilm.com.

    A visual explanation of these slates and credits can be found in the technical specifications document that you can download from your team dashboard.

15. Required Media Formats

    For complete submission requirements, check the technical specifications document in your team dashboard.

    Maximum File Size: 2GB.

    IMPORTANT: If your film does not conform to the submission requirements in your city, it may be disqualified. Also, if your film cannot be viewed on 48HFP equipment, it may be disqualified.

16. Submission Notes

    We recommend that you make sound levels relatively even throughout your film. (If your film has uneven sound or sound that peaks, it may be modified to protect the playback equipment.)

    Projection specs vary from theater to theater and are beyond the control of the 48HFP. If your film is very dark, it may be difficult to see in some theaters.

    All films received on the evening of the deadline (on-time and late) will be screened, presuming they meet the eligibility requirements.

17. Subtitles

    If the film is not in the native language of the competition city, an .srt file with subtitles must be loaded by the 19:30 filmmaking deadline. These subtitles should be in English or the native language of the competition city.
    
    All official city winners are required to provide subtitles in English, even if the language in the film is English. These subtitles should be provided as soon as possible after the announcement.

18. Production Documents

    Every person on the team—both Cast and Crew—must sign the Waiver and Release form.  In addition, each team must secure releases for music, locations and any other applicable items used in creating the entry.  

    Release forms can be found on the 48HFP website.

    All releases must be submitted to the project organizers by midnight on the day of the film’s submission deadline using the Team Dashboard on the 48HFP website.

    Both written and electronic signatures are allowed.

    The film/video will not be screened before the 48 Hour Film Project Organizers receive the signed releases.

19. Certification Statement

    The Entrant must submit the 48HFP Certification Statement with his/her completed Entry, certifying adherence to all Official Rules.

20. Eligibility

    To be eligible for the Project, Entries must be the original work of the Entrant; must not infringe third-party's rights; must be suitable for publication (i.e., may not be obscene or indecent); must not contain obscene or pornographic material; may not contain defamatory statements about any person, company, organization or entity; may not invade privacy or other rights of any person, company or entity; may not in any other way violate applicable laws and regulations; and may not contain any copyrighted elements (other than as owned by the Entrant and/or 48HFP).

    Note: The 48 Hour Film Project is an international event, therefore all elements in your film must not violate any copyrights anywhere in the world.

    The use of copyrighted material under the doctrine of Fair Use is not permitted. All music, footage, images, audio, materials and other content included in the film must be original, properly licensed, or used with explicit permission. Each team is responsible for securing and maintaining all necessary rights and permissions for any content used in its film.

    Entries containing prohibited or inappropriate content as determined by the 48HFP, in its sole discretion, will be disqualified. 48HFP reserves the right to make the final determination as to which Entries are eligible. 48HFP reserves the right to refuse to screen a film or to make an announcement at the screening regarding the content of the film. 48HFP reserves the right to alter a film in order to remove or delete offensive or defamatory content.

21. No Pre-Screening Distribution

    The Entrant is prohibited from distributing their entry/video in any way prior to it receiving its official 48HFP premiere screening. This includes uploading the video to any website or screening the film to anyone other than the team. The Entrant is encouraged to make a poster and/or trailer for their film and distribute those instead.

    The trailer should be no longer than 48 seconds.

22. Official Film Entry

    To be certified as an Official Film Entry, each participating team's film/video production must follow all rules herein. The 48 Hour Film Project Organizers reserve the right to screen only certified Official Film Entries.

23. Entries Not Returned

    No Entries (media or documents) will be returned.

24. Disqualification

    48HFP and Project Parties may, in their sole discretion, disqualify Entries deemed to be non-compliant.  Disqualification may occur after the city awards have been announced, if necessary.

25. Official City Winner

    Specific to 48 HFP x Imagine

    All certified "Official Film Entries" are eligible to compete for the title of "Best Film" of the 48 HFP x Imagine in its city.

26. Best Special Genre Film of 2026

    Specific to 48 HFP x Imagine

    The Best Special Genre film from each of the “Special Genre” competitions is eligible to compete globally for the title of Best Special Genre Film of 2026 and to screen at Filmapalooza, the 48HFP annual international film festival. A panel of independent judges will determine the winners.