Budding auteurs honoured by 24-hour film fest

Point. Shoot. Edit. Submit. All within a single day.

Earlier this year, the Lyons New Media Centre and the Science Media Lab hosted the McMaster 24 Hour Film Festival for students, faculty, staff and alumni. The winning entries were recently announced, and can be screened below. All other entries can be viewed on the Lyons New Media Centre YouTube channel.

The concept for the festival is simple, but far from easy. Creative minds had the opportunity to showcase their video production skills by creating a five-minute film that incpororated three key elements: a hand-drawn illustration, a line of dialogue (“want to see a magic trick?”) and a location where actors could look through something. The catch? They had to do it all in 24 hours or less.

Participants worked through the night to capture their footage, and spent the following day editing, adding sound effects and putting the finishing touches on their films.  Many groups utilized the equipment in the LNMC, while others worked from home. As the 24-hour deadline loomed, teams raced to complete their mini-masterpieces and submit them on time.

Fifteen films were screened at the Citadel Theatre last month, where industry judges reviewed the films and selected the winners. Judging was based on the incorporation of the key elements, as well as the impact, originality and creativity.

Throughout December, the films and still pictures from the festival and gala will be on display in the Lyons New Media Centre in Mills Memorial Library.

1st Place & Best Performance: “Blinded” by Ideas Through Film

2nd Place & Viewers’ Choice: “You Only Draw Once” by YOLO SWAG Productions

3rd Place: “Hunter” by Team Avatar