By Tom Papas
Registrations for the world’s largest environmental film making challenge are now open.
Developed in Australia, the 48 EcoFilm Challenge invites creative and passionate filmmakers from around the world to devote one weekend to making a short environmentally-focused film about one theme crucial to the health of our planet.
The initiative is supported by NRMA Motoring and Services,
“The EcoFilm Fest has been developing in Parramatta over the past two years. This year, we are going global," says festival director Tom Papas. “We've chosen a theme that impacts everyone in everyday life - sustainable transport”.
The official 48 hour time period begins at 7pm on Friday May 24, in each town or city around the world. Each registered entrant receives by email or text message the randomly allocated elements - subject, character, prop and line of dialogue - that must be included in their four to seven minute film. Filmmakers then write, shoot, edit, produce and begin uploading their EcoFilm by 7pm on Sunday, May 26, 2013.
This year’s judging panel is headed by renowned Hollywood producer Andrew Sugerman, who has been involved in the production of many films over the past thirty years. His latest production is Janis Joplin: ‘Get It While You Can’.
Also gracing the judging panel is Ken Stewart, award winning writer-producer-director, former senior creative marketing executive at Paramount Pictures and Columbia Pictures.
On Friday July 19 the EcoFilm Awards will celebrate global ecodiversity by screening the EcoFilm finalists at the Riverside Theatres in Parramatta, Australia. There are cash prizes of $12,500, including the $3,000 Parramatta Prize awarded to the film that best "Inspires Change". There will also be a cash prize of $5,000 for the world’s "Best NRMA Motoring and Services EcoFilm".
Tom Papas says: ”This is an exciting initiative which encourages filmmakers of all ages to work together to raise awareness of the challenges transport presents, through very the accessible and entertaining medium of film”.
Registrations are strictly limited and are now open to filmmakers until May 24.
48 Hour Festival Inc, trading as EcoFilm Fest, is a not for profit incorporated association in NSW Australia. It operates under an advisory board of local and international members. The 48 EcoFilm Challenge film initiative was developed to promote the role that film can play in raising global awareness through film. Its vision is to bring together audiences to celebrate global ecodiversity through short films in the largest ecofilm focus across the planet.
Visit www.ecofilmfest.org.
Skype: ecofilm.fest
