The 48 Hour Film Project takes place on different weekends in different cities throughout the year. In each city local Film Teams—from beginners to pro’s–compete to make a short film in only a weekend!
Nicholas Barnard, and Danielle Bennett are the city producers for Manchester with the aid of Michael Bennett.
It all began onFriday 15th May. At the Kickoff teams drew genres out of a hat and receive the required elements for their film.
For Manchester each film had to contain a character call Donna/Donovan Macintosh, an architect and the line ‘ When in doubt trust your gut’ plus each film had to include a shoelace!
After that the film-making began with widely varying experiences —Writing, shooting and editing, music if desired all in 48 hours for 7.30pm Sunday 17th deadline. 12 teams took the challenge.
The teams ranged from one super brave person to teams of 19 or more. Find out about some of the teams that took part (in no particular order) :
Chicken Noodle Soup – An ever-changing filmmaking team run by Hannah Flynn along with my mom, who complains that she can’t think of another story but always does. They have done it ten times! Based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Wolves – Five people and a dog, 2 warring cameras and a lot of Kdrama
Red Dragons – Based in North Wales, it only seemed right to call themselves ‘The Red Dragons’.
Digital Daydreams – “Digital Daydreams,” is a team with very mixed backgrounds who share a passion for filmmaking.
Phoenix films – Team Phoenix films was pulled together by Ben Phoenix, a producer/director based in Carlisle. The team was assigned “Sci-Fi” and “Heist” as their genres and chose to combine both in their film.
Team WR – Producer Aatif Ati Zafar and Director Wes Rashid (with background in short form content and community films) set out with three missions; expand our narrative storytelling skills, make a film in 48 hours that looks and feels bigger than it is, and shed more light on the diverse talent in the north west indie scene: helping represent overlooked communities and creatives.
Rain Check – The Rain Check Pictures team first met at the 48 Hour Film Project Networking Meet and Greet event at Home Manchester on Monday 20th April, less than a month before the competition.
AA Films – Abi and Alexander, the two A’s behind AA Films brought the entire team together over the three weeks leading up to the competition.
The big payoff for the film-makers is seeing their film on the big screen at a local theater. Every film, both on-time and late, will screen. However, those that do not make the 7.30pm deadline are not in the judging.
More than a dozen awards will be given—from Best Acting to Best Directing to the top prize: Best Film.
Filmapalooza and Cannes
What happens after the local 48? The top films earn more exposure. The Best Film in each city screens at our annual international film festival—Filmapalooza. This festival features screenings, workshops and parties and is attended by filmmakers from around the world.
Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner
Many of the films go on to festivals around the world, but 48 hour film project also have a 17 year partnership with the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner. Each year they take a selection of the top films to screen at the festival. It is an amazing opportunity for filmmakers.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – the results are this Saturday at The Vue Manchester, Printworks.
- Premiere Screenings Sat, May 30, 2026 5:00 PM Tickets VUE Manchester, PrintworksT he Printworks, Manchester M4 2BS
- Awards CeremonySat, May 30, 2026 8:00 PMVUE Manchester, Printworks The Printworks, Manchester M4 2BS