Theme: GRATITUDE

Object: WOOD

Action: LAUGHING

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 GENERAL INFORMATION

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· The film must be created between 6pm PT / 9pm ET on April 9th and 6pm PT / 9pm ET on April 11th

· The film must include the chosen theme, action, and object that were pulled randomly and announced on April 9th at 6pm PT (and noted above).

· The film must be 4 minutes or under.

· The film must feature live-performance puppetry. 

 ·The film must be uploaded to allow anybody with the submitted link to watch and download the film, with the link submitted before 6pm PT / 9pm ET on April 11th. 

And when you're done and ready... submit your film at the link above! 

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS!

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 CAN THE PUPPETS BE PRE-BUILT?

Yes! While your film can benefit from unique, film-specific one-of-a-kind puppets… there is still a lot more work to do, and building puppets is something a human-driven film doesn’t have to contend with. We believe the focus should be on the story and the visual storytelling.

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CAN I SUBMIT A PRE-FILMED SHORT?

Heck no! Submitted films must be made specifically for the 48hr Puppet Film Project, be 4min or under, feature live-performance puppetry, and include the theme, object, and action we provided.

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE MY FILM READY BY THE END OF THE 48hrs?

We understand that sometimes it’s impossible to finish up a film in time, and that technology can sometimes fail us. While we find it unfair to allow disqualified films to win awards, as long as you inform us and your film is submitted within a reasonable time after the cutoff... we will still allow judges to rate/comment (to their discretion), and consider your film for the final and future screenings.

WHEN WILL THE AWARDS BE ANNOUNCED?

The awards will be announced during the final screening on April 24th. 
(Note: If enough films are received that one day does not seem enough, the final screening may be pushed to April 25th). 

WHEN WILL I GET MY JUDGE RESPONSES?

Your judge responses will be sent throughout the weeks following the final screening and awards. Each judge is asked to give both a “what was liked” and “things to work on,” though it is up to their discretion (and schedule) what is provided in the end.

"I hope this event can help puppet filmmakers both new and established to learn and grow from this challenge. Getting a constructive criticism is, for me, the most important aspect of growth and helping make any next project all the better."

- 48hr Puppet Film Project producer Alex U. Griffin

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WHY PUPPETS?

That is, what does puppetry bring to your film that "justifies" the use of puppetry over a human-led film?

Puppets are more difficult to use in stage performance and filmmaking, yet they also hold unique opportunities and abilities within their storytelling. We encourage you to try and find a way that puppetry can add to the story, or a story that could only be told through puppetry, and make it uniquely compelling in a way that no human-led film could. 

DO YOU OWN MY FILM & PUPPET DESIGNS NOW? 

No way, we'd never do that! When submitting, you will be agreeing to allow us use of your film, and stills from your film, in LA Guild of Puppetry screenings, events, archives, and promotions. You can find out more by clicking here to read our submission terms and conditions. The LA Guild of Puppetry also currently allows our co-sponsors of Heather Henson's IBEX Puppetry and Handmade Puppet Dreams to utilize the films only when presented as an official collection of our 48hr Puppet Film Project films.

All copyrights remain with the creators (if you so choose to file them), as well as any greater distribution wants. If anybody seeks an individual film, we direct them to the filmmaker.

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We really hope this can be a special and community building event for everybody involved. Please direct any questions, concerns, or relevant panic attacks to  

48hr PUPPET FILM PROJECT 2021 SPONSORS