48 Hour FlickFest challenges local filmmakers

by Marissa DeBortoli

Amateur and professional filmmakers gathered at St. Clair College Centre for the Arts to take on the challenge of the 48 Hour FlickFest during the weekend of Oct. 19-21.

The FlickFest is an annual film challenge sponsored by the Windsor International Film Festival. The shorts filmed during the competition will be screened as the kick-off event for the eighth annual festival.

Eric Boucher has been helping with organizing and marketing for the 48 Hour FlickFest for two years.

“I participated in the FlickFest for the first two years and really liked it. Then I started working with one of the professors that had done this three years ago,” said Boucher. “We give the groups a line of dialogue, a prop and a theme. They are required elements that you have to use in your film.”

Videos are adjudicated by a panel of judges and nominated for awards. Best picture is the only award that comes with a cash prize of $1,000 but teams can also win plaques or small statues for best director, best cinematography and best sound or music.

“We’re ready to do something serious and fun and something that we can add to our portfolios,” said Megan Roberts, 22. Roberts is a French and communications student at the University of Windsor and is participating in the FlickFest for the first time. She is participating as director, editor and cinematographer within her group.

“Last year our professor mentioned it during the class and I was really interested in it but I couldn’t do it. So, this year I decided it was about time. I’d like to do it and I think it’s going to be a great experience.” said Roberts.

The competition is open to anyone living in the Windsor, Essex County and Detroit areas. Gustave Morin is a Windsor area professional artist and has competed in the 48 Hour FlickFest since its beginning.

“This is now the sixth year. I have made seven films in the six years because in one year I submitted two films,” said Morin. “I’m here to have fun and participate and meet the challenge of trying to make a film in 48 hours. Actually, in the last few years, we’ve gotten so good at it that we can make a film in 24 hours. We don’t even need the 48.”

Morin said he hasn’t really noticed any change in the FlickFest over the years, other than the number of participants.

“Twenty teams have pre-registered this year,” said Boucher. “We have maybe 23 registered right now and more coming in. We had 15 teams in total last year so there’s a definite increase.”

The films will premier Nov. 6 in a Screening and Awards Gala ceremony held at the Capitol Theatre and Arts Centre.