Taking Filmmaking to the Next Level

Growth is usually a good thing, and the founders of The 48-Hour FilmFestival couldn’t agree more. With the upcoming event set forFebruary 26th, this unique approach to motivated filmmaking has nowrisen above its humble start. “We started a few years ago with agroup of five or six people in a borrowed screening room,” saysMark Kochinski, one of three Managing Directors of the festival, alongwith John Parenteau and Keith Matz. “We’ve now moved intothe ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood, and we’re already worried itisn’t big enough!” Founded in 2001, the 48-Hour FilmFestival quickly grew in popularity as a unique outlet for filmmakingtalent. The rules remain as simple now as in the beginning: Make afilm, any film, in 48 hours. Sound simple? Then the festival awaitsyou, too!

Started as a free, open venue for displaying a filmmaker’stalents, the festival remains dedicated to that cause. Though, for thefirst time, admission is being charged to attend the screening, thefounders had no interest in evolving into a money-making venture.“Though we are charging for tickets now at the ArcLight, wewanted to come up with an idea that made use of that money,” saidParenteau. “We had always thought an organization like theStarbright Foundation would be a great place to put that money, ratherthan in our pockets.” A national non profit organization, theSTARBRIGHT Foundation (www.starbright.org) is dedicated to improvingthe quality of life for children and teens living with serious andchronic illnesses. STARBRIGHT’s innovative media-based programshelp children make sense of their medical experiences, allow them toescape the confines of their hospital rooms, and help them realize theyare not alone in their battle. The cause alone proved to be amotivating factor to the founders. STARBRIGHT was happy to becomeinvolved, and has now become the official charity for The 48-Hour FilmFestival. “With most of our expenses covered by generousdonations and sponsorship, we didn’t see any reason not to tryand help a group like Starbright,” said Matz.

And as both venue and concept expand, so does the event itself. Anofficial reception is now scheduled to follow the screening, takingplace on the private balcony overlooking the ArcLight lobby. There,attendees can enjoy appetizers and drinks, meet the filmmakers, as wellas peruse a variety of vendors. New to this festival will be a JuryAward and an Audience Choice Award, both to be announced during thereception. “We wanted to keep the spirit of the festival goingeven after the screening,” said Matz. “We hope that peoplewill take the opportunity to network with other filmmakers, cheer fortheir favorite films, as well as take a closer look at what oursponsors have to offer.”

The 48 Hour Film Festival can be accessed at www.extremefilmmaker.com. For more information,email to info@extremefilmmaker.com,or call Extreme Filmmaker at (310) 246-9018. Next deadline forsubmission is Feb. 6, 2004, for the February 26th screening.