Ottawa International Film Festival 72 Hour Film Challenge Announcements

Are you ready to write, shoot and edit a film in 72 hours?  On Thursday, February 6, 2014, 6:30 p.m. at Lieut.’s Pump (361 Elgin St.) the Ottawa International Film Festival is once again pinning amateur and professional filmmakers against one another in the 6th annual 72 Hour Film Challenge for a thrilling film race like no other. Over 30 production teams are expected to participate in this highly anticipated event. Using assigned wildcard locations, props, businesses, dialogue and music revealed only on the night of the announcement, participants have exactly 72 hours to bring a short 3-12 minute short film from script to screen. The Ottawa Rock Lottery is returning to provide the all-local soundtrack wildcard requirements that have in the past included acclaimed rockers Fevers, Kalle Mattson and The Steve Adamyk Band. In addition to a national televised broadcast on festival partner CBC’s Short Film Face Off, past participants 2011 winner Polar Bear Love and 2013 winner Change have been screened at the New York City International Film Festival, Ottawa Fringe Festival’s Stiff Quickies, Ottawa Sexy Film Festival, and National Screen Institute Online Short Film Festival. The 2014 winners will have their short screened at our October festival and be awarded a filmmaker’s dream prize package of equipment, post-production audio support, makeup and hair services, and an original song written by a top Ottawa musician for their next film. Our top 10 films will be screened on Wednesday, February 26 at a special award ceremony at Mercury Lounge with special guest Mayor Jim Watson and live band TBA. Online voting for audience favourite award will begin on February 11 with all films hosted on Oiff.ca. Judges favourite will be voted upon by a panel of film, media and entertainment experts. Early registration costs $35 online and $50 in person at the February 6 event. More information or interviews with organizers and past participants: contact Festival Manager Samantha Everts at (613) 869-5285 or samantha@oiff.ca or info@oiff.ca. We are proud to be supported by: CBC Ottawa, Ottawa Rock Lottery, Bridgehead, Purple Urchin, Ottawa Food Bank, Lieut’s Pump, Kichesippi Beer and more TBA. Official hashtag #OIFF72 RSVP on Facebook here    Nina Bains Executive Director The Ottawa International Film Festival 613.668.7986 | nina@oiff.ca | oiff.ca