Dreaming Ant to Sponsor 48 Hour Film Project Pittsburgh

The 48 Hour Film Project, the world’s oldest and largest timed film making competition, comes to Pittsburgh for its 3rd annual visit on August 7th, 2009.

Pittsburgh filmmakers of all levels will rely on teamwork, adrenaline, and lots of caffeine as they race against the clock to complete short films in only two sleepless days. Filmmakers begin at 7PM on Friday August 7th, at ArtDimensions Pittsburgh. There, each team receives a genre, a character, prop, and a line of dialogue that they must work into their piece. Then, on August 9th by 7:30pm (only 48 hours later), they must return a 4-7 minute film. Films submitted even one minute late are disqualified.

“While the tight deadline may seem like an obstacle, ultimately it places the emphasis on creativity and teamwork, and gooses participants into making their films rather than just talking about them,” said Mark Ruppert, co-executive director of The 48 Hour Film Project. “More importantly, it breaks down barriers by allowing anyone with a free weekend, a video camera, and boundless creative energy to experience the fun, exhilaration, and satisfaction of producing a fully-realized film.”

The 48 Hour Film Project provides exposure for the filmmakers and their films. Over 20 films will be premiered to the Pittsburgh public on August 12th and 13th at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, just days after the competition. The Pittsburgh Best Film will be announced at the Awards Ceremony held on August 21st, also held at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater. The top 14 films will be shown and the winning team will receive a trophy, Movie Magic Screenwriter software, and will go on to compete for top honors at Filmapalooza, an awards event honoring the 2009 tour’s top film submissions. Filmapalooza will take place for the first time at the NAB Show in 2010. Honors will include Best Director, Best Acting, Best Script, Best Musical Score, and Best Film of 2009. The 2009 Grand Prize winner will receive $3000 cash and a Panasonic AG-HPX170 camera (list price $5695).

Organizers also announced that 14 of the 2009 tour’s best films will be screened at the Cannes International Film Festival’s Short Film Corner in 2010, as well as appear on a nationally distributed DVD.

The 48 Hours Film Project is proudly sponsored in Pittsburgh by Dreaming Ant DVDs, ArtDimensions Pittsburgh, Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, Squishy Films, ParkNavy Advertising, Pittsburgh Film Office, Rag Trader, Pittsburgh Trophy Company, Deep Fried Trouble, ARK United, In The Blood Tattoo, NWA East, Quiet Storm, Ava, Qdoba and Big Science Music.

For further information and dates for Pittsburgh please visit: www.48hourfilm.com/pittsburgh/

To see selected 48 Hour Films, go to www.48.tv