The 50 HOUR FILM Competition is a sleep deprived DIY filmmaking marathon hosted by indie film festivals, where YOU create a short film in 50 Hours for BIG Prizes!
To date, we've already awarded over $85,000 in sponsor donated movie gear, hardware, software, and cash to filmmakers of ALL skill levels around the globe.
| Rank | Team | Best Film |
Aud. Choice |
Rnr Up |
Other Award |
Honor | Event | Score | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shudder Stalkers |  |
|
 |
11 | 3 | 6 | 5,205 |  CAN |
|
| Fun Uncle/Trophy Husbands | |
|
13 | 2 | 5 | 4,875 | CAN |
||
| Team Mouthy Kid | |
6 | 1 | 4 | 2,775 | CAN |
|||
| Beings From Dimension 923 |
|
|
7 | 1 | 3 | 2,740 | CAN |
||
| Byerfilms | |
1 | 2 | 2,320 |  USA |
||||
| Squidling Productions | |
4 | 1 | 1 | 1,405 | CAN |
|||
| Horror Buffs | |
3 | 3 | 1,315 | CAN |
||||
| Les Contes du Corbeau | |
3 | 1 | 1,305 | CAN |
||||
| Pale Rebel Productions | |
3 | 1 | 1,305 |  IRL |
||||
| NYC Ani Jam | |
2 | 1 | 1 | 1,130 | USA |
|||
| Divine Paradox Films | |
1 | 3 | 1,115 | CAN |
||||
| Chuverdragon | 10 | 2 | 6 | 1,080 | USA |
||||
| True Philosopher Films | 9 | 4 | 6 | 1,030 | CAN |
||||
| The Reelists | |
4 | 1 | 1 | 835 | CAN |
|||
| Dream Indigo | |
2 | 1 | 3 | 740 | CAN |
|||
| Between The Shrugs | |
2 | 1 | 705 | USA |
||||
| Zest Productions | |
2 | 1 | 705 | CAN |
||||
| 88mph | 5 | 2 | 510 | CAN |
|||||
| VideoMonkey | 4 | 4 | 7 | 535 | CAN |
||||
| RoRiRo | 4 | 2 | 410 | CAN |
|||||
| We'll Do It In 40 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 255 | USA |
||||
| They Came From The Blob Under The Stairs |
2 | 1 | 1 | 235 | CAN |
||||
| #Squad Productions | 2 | 2 | 210 | CAN |
|||||
| Le Bibliotheque du Fromage |
2 | 2 | 210 |  FRA |
|||||
| Burdy Boys | 2 | 1 | 205 | CAN |
|||||
| Mad Moose Media | 2 | 1 | 205 | CAN |
|||||
| Team Sweet | 2 | 1 | 205 | CAN |
|||||
| Victorious Secret | 2 | 1 | 205 | USA |
|||||
| Threat-Level Midnight | 2 | 1 | 205 | CAN |
|||||
| Brass Engine | 1 | 2 | 2 | 160 | USA |
||||
| District 12 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 155 | USA |
||||
| Skymagic Filmworks | 1 | 1 | 2 | 135 | USA |
||||
| Gilgamesh | 1 | 1 | 1 | 130 | CAN |
||||
| Labyrinth | 1 | 1 | 105 | CAN |
|||||
| The 6th Sense | 1 | 1 | 105 | USA |
|||||
| Team Bradley | 1 | 1 | 105 | CAN |
|||||
| The Escapists | 1 | 1 | 105 | CAN |
|||||
| Hurricane Gold | 1 | 1 | 105 | CAN |
|||||
| Weird Gear | 1 | 1 | 105 | USA |
|||||
| Riffle Bros | 1 | 1 | 105 | USA |
|||||
| DinoRaptor Films | 1 | 1 | 105 | CAN |
|||||
| Foibles Productions | 1 | 1 | 105 | CAN |
|||||
| Legacy Studios | 1 | 1 | 105 | CAN |
|||||
| Vengeance Cinema | 1 | 1 | 105 | CAN |
|||||
| Three Amigos Studios | 1 | 1 | 105 | USA |
|||||
| So. Much. Blood. | 1 | 1 | 105 | USA |
|||||
| Muscle Wizards | 1 | 1 | 105 | CAN |
|||||
| Babbal | 2 | 1 | 55 |  IND |
|||||
| Aevus Media | 1 | 2 | 35 | USA |
|||||
| Last Resort Productions | 1 | 1 | 30 | USA |
|||||
| Rank | Team | Best Film |
Aud. Choice |
Runner Up |
Other Award |
Honor | Event | Score | Region |
50 HOUR FILM COMPETITION - FAQ
The Lost Episode Festival Toronto (LEFT) is once again hosting the 50 Hour Film Competition - a sleep deprived filmmaking marathon weekend in which you and your team have an unforgettable time writing, directing, shooting, and editing a complete short film in just 50 hours.
Events always begin on a Friday at 7pm (YOUR local time), every registered team is emailed a line of dialogue, and a prop, that MUST be included in their film. This NEXT EVENT the genre will be [A SUPRISE]. Then teams have only 50 hours (or less) to complete and submit their film, online or in person.
ALL films, even the late ones, can be shown on the big screen at our (fully licensed) venue of choice. The films that were on time however will be graded by our panel of judges and the winners will receive CASH, PRIZES, and of course FAME! Even if our judges don't select your film, you still have one last chance to win the AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD (including $250 in CASH!), even if it means inviting everyone you know to the screening and bribing them to vote for you.
WHAT MAKES THIS FILM CHALLENGE DIFFERENT FROM THE REST?
Aside from our rules, this challenge is hosted by a real film festival, and select films get amazing film festival exposure beyond a single screening. Our venue of choice is also licensed, so you can have a beer with your friends and family and really enjoy everyone's work. Best of all, the entry fee for the competition is less than half of what you normally pay to participate in a film competition. Our competition starts at the super cheap entry fee, the price goes up close to the event date - so register now! Please note there are a very limited number of teams in the competition, signup is on a first come first serve basis.
- CHEAP: Our team fee is LESS THAN HALF what other competitions charge
- FAIR: We limit the number of team to keeps the odds of winning fair
- CONVENIENT: You are emailed the requirements so no need to waste time at a meetup
- EASY: You can upload your finished film, which means anyone anywhere can join
WHAT DO I NEED TO COMPETE?
All you need is a camera (or a smartphone with a camera) and a few friends (your team) willing to spend an insanely great weekend with you making a film.
HOW LONG DOES THE FILM HAVE TO BE?
No minimum length, with a SUGGESTED LENGTH OF 5-7 MINUTES not including credits (3-5 minutes is the most popular length and tends to score the highest, short is what we recommend). Will I be disqualified if I go over? No. You will be docked points for every 30 seconds over, and your film may be truncated or left out of the live screening if time does not permit its length. Save your longer edit for a directors cut!
DO I NEED TO BE A U.S. OR CANADIAN RESIDENT?
No. ALL COUNTRIES ARE ELIGIBLE unless your local laws indicate otherwise. You do not have to be a Canadian resident, and you don't have to be here in Toronto (though we'd love it if you were), you can submit your film online instead of in person. Our competition is open to the entire planet (we're also open to any space aliens who can get here). Some restrictions apply, see rules.
DO I NEED TO HAVE FILMMAKING EXPERIENCE?
Heck no! Anyone can make a film. ALL skill levels are welcome. Be sure to check out our TIPS & TRICKS! Filmmaking competitions don't have to be about making a hollywood blockbuster or a grande piece of art, they are about learning to make films and having a good time. Make something that YOU like, and in all likelihood someone else will enjoy it on some level as well.
HOW DO I PUT TOGETHER A TEAM? OR JOIN A TEAM?
That's easy! Join the 50 HOUR FILM Facebook group, and post what kind of help you need or can offer. Also, ask your friends and family. Post on your Facebook or Twitter that you are looking for friends to compete with, or let everyone know you have a position available on your team or that you are looking to join a team (be sure to mention anything you're good at).
WHAT IF I SIGN UP AND CAN'T COMPETE?
Due to the fact that we limit the number of competing teams, and because you are taking a team spot by registering, we cannot refund your team fee if you decide to drop out under any condition. It is not fair to us to try and find a replacement at the last minute, or to the teams who are denied a sign-up because the competition is full. Please read the rules before applying and email us if you have any questions.
WHEN DO I GET THE REQUIREMENTS TO START?
After you're successfully registered, on the date the competition starts you'll receive an email at 7PM (your local time) with a link to a form which will provide ALL the required elements. Then you'll have 50 hours to complete your film. If you don't see your start email, check the junk folder on both of the email addresses you registered with us. It is your responsibility to add 50hourfilm@gmail.com to your contacts (or safe senders list) so you don't miss our emails, and contact us promptly at 7:05PM if you STILL haven't received start instructions.
ARE THERE SLATES OR TITLE CARDS I HAVE TO USE?
Yes. Your film must begin (first frames) and end (last frames) with slates (2 seconds is the preferred length). The MADE FOR THE 50 HOUR FILM Competition slate (found here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9n86PRGFG3deUdMM3pIUUVZU2M) and you can make your own TITLE SLATE (example here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9n86PRGFG3dNEpXWHJubzJMMUU) and put it at the beginning after the MADE FOR slate; just before your film begins (do not repeat the TITLE slate at the end of your film, only the MADE FOR slate).
WHAT DO I DO WHEN MY FILM IS DONE?
When you finish, export your film in 1080 as an MPG, MP4, MOV, or M4V (if possible) and keep the file under 2GB. Taking TOO long? Try a smaller resolution. Name the file using teamname-filmname.mov (for example). Then upload the film using http://free.mailbigfile.com to our email address 50hourfilm@gmail.com. You'll also be emailed a wrap-up form to complete as well, or click this link: https://goo.gl/forms/0Mlz12iFJJcN2ejP2. That's it!
WHAT CAN I WIN?
We aim for at least $10,000 worth of Cash & Prizes at every event. To date we've awarded over $85,000 worth!