Manitoba filmmakers tap comedy, kung-fu in 48 hours film fest contest

Manitoba filmmakers have put their skills to the test to shoot and edit a short movie in only two days as part of the Gimli Film Festival.

The 48 Hour Film Contest is an annual event organized by the Winnipeg Film Group. Production centre director Ben Williams said they've made one change this year to give the filmmakers a little leeway.

"Usually you have to write it there on the spot [too]," he said. "But this year we gave them a three-week timespan to write it."

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The movies have already been filmed and edited and will be screened during the Gimli Film Festival as well as on Tuesday at Cinematheque in Winnipeg.

Williams said there's a whole range of genres from comedy and drama to others, which are more like music videos. They also reached their maximum number of entrants early on, he added.

"I think it's just a thrill of the competition," he said.

BJ Verot entered the contest this year and has actually won in past years.

"It's great because you can come up with an idea, and in two days, you will have a film, in some capacity, shot, editedand completed," he said.

This year's film Flashkick is inspired by the kung fu and kick boxer movies of the 80s, he said. The story is about a son whose father gets murderedso he sets off for revenge.

"Story becomes very important, and you have to keep what is absolutely necessary," Verot said with a laugh.

Verot said the contest also opens up other opportunities. Last year, his winning film went on to win the CBC Short Film Face Off.

"If you can make something that has a shelf life beyond the scope of just the 48-hour film festival, and just Gimli, I think that's what people should be striving for," he said.

The Gimli Film Festival runs from July 20-24.

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