48Hours
48Hours is a New Zealand film-making competition. It involves teams of various sizes competing to write, shoot, edit and score a short film, which must be between 1 and 5 minutes long, over a single 48-hour period. Developed from the US-based 48 Hour Film Project, which was run in Auckland in 2003, 48Hours has been running as a New Zealand-only event since 2004, with regional competitions organised in 8 cities and regions around New Zealand: Auckland, Hamilton, Gisborne, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin.
The event was founded by Anthony "Ant" Timpson and is organised by Ness Patea and Ruth Korver. There is a launch event on Friday night of the shoot weekend, where each team is given a randomly selected genre. They are also given three compulsory elements which are common to all teams. These are a line of dialogue, a prop, a character, and since 2010, a "technical" element.
All creative work required to produce the film must be undertaken and completed within the 48 hours of the competition. This includes storylining, scriptwriting, filming, editing and audio mixing. Teams must deliver their finished film to the competition organisers by the Sunday evening to be eligible for prizes, although late deliveries will still be screened in the heats.
By 2011 the competition had grown to include more than 800 teams nationwide with at least 10,000 people believed to be involved. In 2020, there was a free lockdown version of the competition which was run in level 4. There were 1208 films created over one weekend.
Compulsory elements
Every year teams are given a number of compulsory elements to help ensure that film has been wholly created on the shoot weekend. The elements include a character with a gender-neutral name, a character trait, a line of dialogue, a prop, and as of 2010, a technical shot. As well as these, teams are randomly allocated a genre for their film. 2017 saw the introduction of themes, different elements, and the ULTRA48 Challenge for teams that elect to do it for added difficulty.| Year | Character | Character trait | Line of dialogue | Prop | Technical shot | Shoot weekend | Refs. |
| 2003 | Gnarly Watson | Rock 'n' roll legend | "I didn't see that coming." | Torch | |||
| 2004 | Jesse McCloud | Total has-been | "Do you mind if I have the last one?" | Ice | |||
| 2004 | Terry Spears | Model | "Just put that down nice and easy." | Doll | |||
| 2005 | Bodil de Resny | Animal lover | "Please don't do that." | Banana | 13–15 May | ||
| 2006 | Robin Slade | Eternal optimist | "That's what I'm talking about." | Mirror | 26–28 May | ||
| 2007 | Jerry Reed | Hypochondriac | "What do you call that?" | Rope | 18–20 May | ||
| 2008 | Kerry Post | Perfectionist | "Wait a minute." | Brush | 16–18 May | ||
| 2009 | Alex Puddle | Exaggerator | "It doesn't fit." | Rock | 8–10 May | ||
| 2010 | Sidney Manson | Fabricator | "When you look at it that way..." | Broken toy | Dolly zoom | 16–18 Apr | |
| 2011 | Bobby Young | Ex-bully | "What have you got?" | Bent wire | Freeze-frame shot | 20–22 May | |
| 2012 | Nicky Brick | Unlucky person | "I did that." | Leaf | Slow motion | 18–20 May | |
| 2013 | Vic Meyer | Insomniac | "Did you hear that?" | Card | Point of view shot | 24–26 May | |
| 2014 | Morgan Foster | Liar | "Not with that you're not." | Ball | Extreme close up/macro | 4–6 Apr | |
| 2015 | Harper Harrison | Thoughtless | "Oh, really?" | Bread | Match cut/match dissolve | 1–3 May | |
| 2016 | Charlie Flowers | Thoughtful person | "One more time" | Wool | Rack focus | 16–18 Sep |
| Year | Character | Physical Element | Sound Effect | Technical shot | ULTRA48 Challenge | Shoot weekend | Refs. |
| 2017 | A female | Collision | Wilhelm Scream | Smash cut | Create a sequel to any of your team's previous 48 shorts AND include the required elements from that year. | 25–27 Aug | |
| 2018 | Puddle | Slamming door | Shadow or silhouette | Main characters must be children and/or animals. | 11–13 May | ||
| 2019 | Wind | Laughter | Double-take, overhead shot | Split-screen and break the 4th-wall. | 14–16 Jun | ||
| 2020 | A Photograph | An Echo | An Arc Shot | N/A | 17–19 Apr | ||
| 2021 | Reluctant, unlikely, or anti-hero | Something Invisible | Heart-beat | Reaction Shot | Set in the dark. | 5–7 Mar | |
| 2021 | Confidant | Package | Ticking | Reflection | Set in the dark. | 12-14 Mar | |
| 2022 | A gate-keeper | A sign | A whisper | Worm's-eye view or Bird's-eye view | N/A | 12–14 Aug | |
| 2024 | A traveller or neighbour | An exit | A warning | Match cut | N/A | 17–19 May | |
| 2025 | Something precious | A miniature | An accident | Slow motion movement | N/A | 15–17 Aug |
Regional and national winners
After initially being held in Auckland in 2003 as part of the international 48 Hour Film Project, the independent 48Hours began in 2004 with teams in Auckland and Wellington. At its peak in 2011, it was represented in eight cities.; 2003Auckland: Special Crime Unit - Lazy Racer Angela Adams
; 2004Auckland: Jesse McLeod: The Journey - ClassicWellington: Heinous Crime - The Circus
; 2005Auckland: A Fairly Good Tale - Crash ZoomWellington: Chip & Manny - Locked And StapledChristchurch: Bruised Gold - Evil Genius LabsDunedin: Mosgiel Tonight - Jo Seager MegadriveNational Runner-Up: Bruised Gold - Evil Genius Labs National Winner: A Fairly Good Tale - Crash Zoom
; 2006Auckland: Brown Peril - The Tim Porch Story - thedownlowconceptWellington: The Baby Farmer - Clean SlateChristchurch: The Escort - FR7835Dunedin: Action At Both Ends - Daddy CoolHamilton: Robin Slade - Time Tourist - Dance Donkee DanceNational Runner-Up: Slade In Full - White Tiger National Winner: Brown Peril - The Tim Porch Story - thedownlowconcept
; 2007Auckland: Camp Fear - Mukpuddy AnimationWellington: Maori Detective and the Boogie Fever - Good TimesChristchurch: Carboys and the Indian - The OutwitsDunedin: Bain: The Musical - Burt Hall Banana RepublicHamilton: The Playground - Taktix FilmsGisborne: One Man's War - Cuzzie FilmsNational Runner-Up: Carboys and the Indian - The Outwits National Winner: Lease - Lense Flare
; 2008Auckland: The End - Fractured RadiusWellington: Darlene - Smashing PantsChristchurch: Agent Post - Spooce Media/The Real McCoyDunedin: Two Bodies, One Night - The Dangly GruffnutsHamilton: Sum of the parts - Guerrilla MonkeysGisborne: Le dernier jour de Tony - Kaiti HillNational Runner-Up: Beyond Belief - Lense Flare National Winner: F* Dance - Puppy Guts
; 2009Auckland: Nature's Baby - SinistralWellington: Otack Otack Otack Fall - Killah Walz/OrcaChristchurch: New Fish - TBALCDunedin: Charlotte - Line MenHamilton: Hardwood Floors - Guerrilla MonkeysGisborne: The Amazing World of Sticks - Kaiti HillNational Runner-Up: New Fish - TBALC National Winner: Charlotte - Line Men
; 2010Auckland: Only Son - thedownlowconceptWellington: Balls & Chain - Dog FilmsChristchurch: Death in the West - Gorilla Team GorillaDunedin: The Stag Do - Mirage VideosHamilton: Gone - Reel Good PeopleGisborne: A Toy Car named Sidney - 2 Many DarkiesTaranaki: Hopping Away - Ivan Goff Fan ClubNational Third Place: The Pool - Winlove Adventure Brothers National Runner-Up: Confessions of a Fabricator - IdiotVision National Winner: Only Son - thedownlowconcept
; 2011Auckland: The Child Jumpers - Grand ChevalWellington: Sketch - Couch KumarasChristchurch: Naughty Man - SuspectTVDunedin: Chatter - Rabies BabiesHamilton: Kingdom Of Shadow - Arthouse MassacreGisborne: FAD Town - Cuzzie FilmsTaranaki: Well Strung - Rubber Soul ProductionsNational Third Place: Meanie Pants - MukPuddy National Runner-Up: Copy That - Lense Flare National Winner: The Child Jumpers - Grand Cheval
; 2012Auckland: The Girl With The Clover Tattoo - Lense FlareWellington: Brains? - Noise and PicturesChristchurch: An Inconvenient Hoof - Picton PicturesDunedin: Do the Knight Thang - Flim Flom FilmsHamilton: Dead Lucky - Tuff CollectiveNational Third Place: Love in Decay - MukPuddy National Runner-Up: The Girl With The Clover Tattoo - Lense Flare National Winner: Brains? - Noise and Pictures
; 2013Auckland: Sleep Clinic - dr jeckyllWellington: The Sleeping Plot - Traces of NutChristchurch: Is Love Enough? - The Eh TeamDunedin: We Run The Night - SML ProductionsHamilton: The Empath - Elysium ExitGisborne: Bungy - Kaiti HillTaranaki: Partners in Crime - Rubber SoulNational Third Place: Autocraniotomous - NightOwls National Runner-Up: I Got Robots - Chess Club National Winner: The Sleeping Plot - Traces of Nut
; 2014Auckland: Dead End Job - Mukpuddy AnimationWellington: Rubble - Noise and PicturesChristchurch: The Ex - TBALCDunedin: A Right Tool - Begged, Borrowed, StolenHamilton: Feed - HoganstreetheroesGisborne: Whai utu - KratosTaranaki: Travel with Time Pieces - The Tanked EnginesNational Third Place: A Lesson on Probability - Mexico National Runner-Up: Rubble - Noise and Pictures National Winner: Pants On Fire - Lense Flare
; 2015Auckland: Bread Winner - Chess ClubWellington: Loyal - Couch KumarasChristchurch: The Silent Man - TBALCDunedin: 48 Days Later - Begged, Borrowed, StolenHamilton: The Specialist - CockUp ProductionsGisborne: From - Kaiti HillTaranaki: Beat Down - Camera ChildNational Third Place: Loyal - Couch Kumaras National Runner-Up: Tide - King Gains-Bury & Biches National Winner: Bread Winner - Chess Club
; 2016Auckland: Ghostfish: Catfished By A Ghost - Prime RibWellington: Love.exe - Bork!Christchurch: Down to the Wire - TBALC Alpha Dunedin: The Loom of Doctor Flowers - Super Furious Ninja Dragons Hamilton: Love is a Crime - DF-10Gisborne: Bromancing The Stone - Team IndeedTaranaki: A Bro's Life - Rubber Soul ProductionsNational Third Place: Love.exe - Bork! National Runner-Up: Ghostfish: Catfished By A Ghost - Prime Rib National Winner: Time Travel Centre - Chillybox
; 2017Auckland: Under The Bridge - Cool Story Bro FilmWellington: Jack & Joni - MoffilaideChristchurch: Split Sibling Decision - Free Chicken Dunedin: The Beach - Dwarf Shortage Hamilton: Dude, That's Your Sister! - DF-10Bay of Plenty: Bonnie - The MugshotsGisborne: KELVIN - Ma amTaranaki: Charlie Echo Alpha - Currie Street CreativesNational Third Place: Feeding - Southern Belles National Runner-Up: A Friend For Life - Missing Pixels National Winner: Under The Bridge - Cool Story Bro Film
; 2018Auckland: La Coquille - Halcyon EntertainmentWellington: Master - Temple of NutChristchurch: Utka - Poutine Wolf Dunedin: Lizard Does Earth - Watson and Cricket Productions Hamilton: Glow - Taktix FilmsBay of Plenty: Manawa Bay - Tinker TailorGisborne: The Great Great Mistake - KratosTaranaki: The Story of a Decade - Through the Lens FilmsNational Third Place: Red Touch Yellow - PickleThugs National Runner-Up: Hero - Blood and Bone National Winner: PepTok - Chillybox
; 2019Auckland: Like Nobody's Watching - ChillyboxWellington: Apollo 69 - Qualified TimChristchurch: A Familiar Feeling - Snack to the Future Dunedin: Big Boys - Watson and Cricket Productions Hamilton: Daddio - Reneel SinghBay of Plenty: Extra Time - Great Lakes Film SocietyGisborne: The Noise Of Life - KratosTaranaki: 40 Candles - Spacies CrewNational Third Place: Toast - Missing Pixels National Runner-Up: Like Nobody's Watching - Chillybox National Winner: A Familiar Feeling - Snack to the Future
; 2020
2020 did not have regional finals.National Third Place: Pupper Paleolithic - Too Much Spare TimeNational Runner-Up: The Visible Man - The FubbsNational Winner: For Generations - Squint Eastwood
; 2021Auckland: Unfinished Symphony - Awkward AnimationsWellington: Good Girl - Traces of NutChristchurch: The Dying Art of Cat Burglary - BAE24Dunedin: The Unseen - Jelly MouthHamilton: The Hitchhiker - Blink Blue MediaBay of Plenty: Impalpable - Temporary EstateGisborne: A Job Worth Keeping - KratosTaranaki: GOOD AS GOLD - KinakiNational Third Place: Āta - Mitchell's Here National Runner-Up: A Matter of Time - Apple Fork National Winner: Good Girl - Traces of Nut
; 2022Auckland: Love You Stranger - Missing PixelsWellington: A Multitude Of Ways To Leave Your Lover - Child SupportChristchurch: Going Solo - Rabid Auntie JeanDunedin: Instant Cinematic Classic - Under-Funded Thunder FilmsHamilton: Oh Crap - RS ProductionsBay of Plenty: Sacrifarce - Great Lake Film SocietyGisborne: 18 To Life - KratosTaranaki: Daddy Daddy - FilmanuiNational Third Place: Love You Stranger - Missing Pixels National Runner-Up: A Multitude Of Ways To Leave Your Lover - Child Support National Winner: Big Questions - Mitchell's Here
; 2024Auckland: Thicker Than Water - Jovial EntertainmentWellington: Gutted - Couch KumaraChristchurch: Zero Mum Game - An Evening WithDunedin: The Fountain of Youth - MayodazeHamilton: Nuggets - ChickenBay of Plenty: Loose End - Great Lake Film SocietyGisborne: E.T.R - Hot LunchTaranaki: Stella and Blarg at Large - Pastafarian ProductionsNational Third Place: Loose End - Great Lake Film Society National Runner-Up: Sweets - Disqualified Tim National Winner: Nuggets - Chicken
; Notes