NB48: Filmmaking Challenge

March 28-30, 2025

We are excited for the return of #NB48 on Friday, March 28th!

About NB48

Looking for a unique way to showcase your filmmaking skills? Look no further than the NB48: Filmmaking Challenge Challenge! This exciting event, in collaboration with the New Bedford Film Festival and sponsored by UMass Dartmouth, aims to highlight the beauty and diversity of downtown New Bedford as the perfect setting for film narratives.

This challenge is a great opportunity to showcase the thriving independent film scene in the New Bedford area and connect with like-minded local filmmakers, actors, and volunteers. 

The Challenge

Teams will be assigned a specific location in the downtown area on Friday, March 28th at 7pm. They will then have to pitch their stories for approval at 10am on Saturday, March 29th, before filming for 8-hours in the assigned venue. Teams will have until Sunday, March 30 at 7pm to submit completed films.

Participate

A team leader should sign up their team by March 24! (It’s free to enter!)
But sign up now as spots are limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Don’t have a team? If you don’t have a team, but want to still participate in the NB48: Filmmaking Challenge, e-mail us and we will put your name out there to teams.

Premiere

The completed films created during this challenge will be screened at the New Bedford Film Festival on April 12 from 3-5pm at the Whaling Museum and nd have the chance to win awards such as Best 48 Hour Film, Best Directing, Best Acting, Best Use of a Location, Best Story, and Best Editing.

Don't miss this exciting opportunity to showcase your passion for film and the beauty of downtown New Bedford in this incredible 48 hour challenge!

Challenge Timeline

Friday, March 28th

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: LAUNCH

(Location: Harbor Hotel, 222 Union St, New Bedford, MA)

  • Review of rules

  • Location assignments

  • Recruit additional cast/crew

Saturday, March 29th

8:00 AM - 5:00 AM: NB48 Filming (8-hour slots throughout the day at local NB businesses)

11:00 AM - 2:00 AM: NB48 Check-in Hub

(Location: Co-Creative, 137 Union St, New Bedford)

Sunday, March 30th

2:00 AM: NB48 Hub Closes

9:00 PM: Films Due Online!

Be a part of the NB48: Filmmaking Challenge!

FAQs

  • The NB48: Filmmaking Challenge is an opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to showcase their skills by creating a short film in just 48 hours. Teams will have a weekend to write, shoot, edit, and add a musical soundtrack to their films, with a specific time limit and deadline to adhere to. The finished films will then be screened for the first time during the New Bedford Film Festival.

  • There is no registration fee for the New Bedford 48 Hour Film Competition, as it is sponsored by UMass Dartmouth.

  • Each team will be assigned a location in downtown New Bedford where they will have eight hours to shoot their film. The narratives should positively reflect the assigned space and not involve major alterations. The films can also not succeed 10 minutes. Early access is allowed for planning, but the story should focus on the designated location.

  • No, there is no limit to the number of people on a team. However, there will also be a pool of actors and crew available for recruitment if needed.

  • Yes, although we do not encourage it. Film schedules rarely go according to plan, and you may inadvertently cause issues by committing to more than one team. It is important to make sure the team leaders of each team are aware of your involvement and that scheduling can be coordinated.

  • The films must be a minimum of 2 minutes and a maximum of 10 minutes in length.

  • You are encouraged to enter your film into other festivals, hold public screenings, upload it online, and share it with as many people as possible. Be sure to comply with any restrictions outlined in the Team Leader's Agreement. However, you agree to not remove the graphic that says this film was completed for the New Bedford NB48: Filmmaking Challenge.

  • Yes, the New Bedford Film Festival will present awards for categories such as Best Film, Best Directing, Best Story, Best Use of a Location, Best Acting, and Best Editing.

  • A panel of film and video professionals will serve as the judges for the competition.

  • A panel of film and video professionals will serve as the judges for the competition.

  • Absolutely, sponsorship opportunities are available.

  • Exterior shots featuring the designated location are allowed and can be filmed before or after the eight-hour time limit.

    Up to one minute of footage not inside the location can be included in the final film, but it must be shot within the 48 hour window – but it is highly recommended to primarily film inside the assigned location for the film's narrative.

  • Yes, all team members will be required to sign an agreement before filming begins.

  • Yes, teams are responsible for any damages or injuries that may occur on set due to equipment or not following the location agreement. NB48 is not liable for any incidents.

  • It’s the team leader to figure out and create their own forms and language that their team should adhere to and agree to including: who is responsible if there are damages? Who has ownership of the film? Payment? Etc.

  • No, this is an independent competition through the New Bedford Film Festival.

  • Depending on the venue assigned, you will be shooting after hours in an 8 hour window that could happen between 4pm - 8am.

  • Based on our rules, and our agreement with the businesses, we want to make sure you are telling positive stories in the space. That’s all we’re checking for before you get started. If you want to e-mail us stories ahead of time for approval, we are more than welcome to read them asap for the “thumbs up.”

Rules of Participation

1. Team Leader Requirement: The Team Leader must be a legal resident or legal visitor of the United States or the District of Columbia. Residency requirements may vary for participants outside of the United States.

Team leaders must be available and report to all mandatory NB48 Film Project events, such as Friday, March 28, 2025, at 7pm for the launch and location assignment and Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 10:00am to pitch their story to a New Bedford Film Festival board member before filming.

2. Ineligible Teams: A team is not eligible if the Team Leader or any Team Member is an employee, city producer, contractor, director, or officer of NB48: Filmmaking Challenge, Inc. (48HFP), its parent, subsidiaries, or affiliated companies, distributors, web design, advertising, fulfillment, judging, or Project agencies involved in the administration, development, fulfillment, and execution of this Project. The immediate family members of any Project Partner (e.g., spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent) and those living in their same households are also ineligible. This rule applies to any person who has lived in the same residence for at least three months during the twelve-month period preceding the start date of the Project.

3. Void Where Prohibited: The New Bedford 48 Hour Film Challenge is void where prohibited. 

4. No Entry Fee: There is no entry fee to participate in the 48 Hour Film Challenge, thanks to UMass Dartmouth. However, all production costs associated with the entry are the sole responsibility of the team. 

5. Respect for Locations: Teams must respect the assigned location and may not damage it in any way. The narrative must showcase the location in a positive light and cannot contain any blood, paint, open flame, or other elements that may stain or damage the location. 

6. Use of Location: The location must be used as is and cannot be altered or moved around too much. Teams may not remove items from the walls or add items to the space. The location should serve as a backdrop for the narrative, and equipment must be brought in safely. The location should be treated as a livable space and not just a set with the understanding that it’s open for business the following day.

7. Liability: Team leaders must sign a form stating they understand and will follow all rules regarding the location. They are responsible for any damages that may occur if they fail to follow the rules. 

8. Ownership of Film: By submitting the entry, ownership of the film belongs to the New Bedford Film Festival until April 22nd when the festival concludes and shows the film. After that, ownership is returned to the original team for their use. 

9. Indemnity: The New Bedford Film Festival is not responsible for any claims, damages, expenses, costs, and liabilities brought or asserted by any third party against the project. Indemnity is due to arise from the entry's material, ownership, or how it is put out there intellectually. 

10. Intellectual Property: The New Bedford Film Festival has no say in the project's trademark, copyright, or other intellectual properties. The team is responsible for any right of publicity, right for privacy, or defamation issues that may arise. 

11. Release of Rights: By entering the challenge, teams agree to release indemnity and hold harmless the NB48: Filmmaking Challenge and the Project Parties from any and all claims arising from the project's materials or subsequent productions. 

12. Use of Project Materials: The NB48: Filmmaking Challenge may use sections of the film for advertising and future film festival needs. They may also use any images or video clips for future advertising purposes. 

13. Further Liability: The New Bedford Film Festival is not responsible for any claims, damages, or liabilities brought or asserted by any third party against the project.

14. Utilizing crew and cast from NB48: These actors and crew members available to recruit from our pool understand they are volunteering their time. Teams can select these people for their projects as they see fit.