48hr International Film Project brings out the best in filmmakers

More than 150 short films were shot during the 48hr International Film Project (48HFP) weekend in Durban.

“We had production teams submitting films from South Africa, Lesotho, Nigeria, and Ukraine,” City Producer Nerusha Maharaj-Sadapal told The Citizen.

The 48hr International Film Project is a long-running competition established in Los Angeles 23 years ago by Mark Ruppert. It is held in 140 cities globally, including five in Africa.

It is the world’s largest and oldest filmmaking competition. To date, more than 70,000 films have been created for the project.

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Inclusivity

Last week’s Durban leg of the festival saw the creation of 162 films, among was Unheard and Unseen which stood out for how it speaks to inclusivity.

The film was created by 19-year AFDA student Sinethemba Solomzi Mtati.

“His film was about the challenges and struggles of females who are hearing impaired. A beautiful story that was told. This was a sign language film acted by actors who are mute,” shared project producer Nerusha Maharaj-Sadapal.

The 162 films will now be reviewed by a team of adjudicators and screened in cinemas.

“We are screening at Suncoast Cinema from the 25 to the 27th of October. Post-screening we hope these films be commissioned and aired on the small screens,” Maharaj-Sadapal said.

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Awards

An awards ceremony will take place after the screening. More than 30 local awards will be presented, and the overall winners will go on to represent South Africa internationally.

These awards include three filmmaking bursaries from Creative Arts College, R55 0000 worth of equipment rental vouchers from JR Films and a week’s free equipment rental from Pheno Vision.

Each year, the 48HFP celebrates its winning films and filmmakers at its annual international film festival – Filmapalooza.

City winners watch films, network, and learn who will be named the Grand Champion, Best 48 Hour Film of the Year.

Only a trio of films from three cities in South Africa will represent the country abroad.

The Best Film winner from each city receives a Screening of their Film at Filmapalooza 2025, a trophy presented at the global event, and a chance to compete at the Cannes Film Festival.

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