55 Hour Film Festival

Lights. Camera. Go!

What can you create in just 55 hours? Grab your crew, embrace the challenge, and put your filmmaking skills to the test in Open Window’s 5th annual 55 Hour Film Festival.

The festival kicks off on Friday 1 August, with a kickstarter event where all three campuses (Lusaka, Stellenbosch, Centurion) get together (via Google Meet) to reveal the elements to be used in the films: from genres and props to lines of dialogue. Each team will then draw from these creative prompts, while racing against the clock to write, shoot, edit, and deliver a completed film by 23:00 on Sunday 2 August.

The challenge is open to all Open Window students, lecturers and alumni. Teams can consist of 4-6 crew members, with the option of including additional actors if needed. You’re welcome to use any camera or equipment you can get your hands on. If you’d like to use equipment from the Gear Room, you’ll need to arrange your own bookings and collections in advance.

The Challenge

Your completed film must:

• Aim to be exactly 5 minutes and 55 seconds (05:55) long.
• Include at least one of the five dialogue lines revealed at the launch.
• Include at least one of the five props revealed at the launch.
• Incorporate at least one of the five genres revealed at the launch.
• Include the WORDLE word from 29 July, 1 or 2  August somewhere in the film.
• Acknowledge any use of AI in the end credits, if AI is used.

Whether you’re directing, writing, shooting, editing, acting, or producing, this is your chance to collaborate, experiment, solve problems under pressure, and make something unforgettable.

The Google Sheet on which to write your team names down will be shared by your lecturers, if you haven’t received it and want to register or join a team please email [email protected]. All the films will be screened in the week following the festival, and winners will be voted for – screening date and times TBA.

If anyone has any further questions, address them to [email protected]