THE SCI-FI-LONDON 48 HOUR

FILM

CHALLENGE

NEXT CHALLENGE: TBC 2026

Watch the 2025 shortlisted films now!

THE PERFECT by Team: Brokenbrow

SPORE by Team: Northern Ridge

WARM WELCOME by Team: Death by Cat Bag

THE SET UP. by Team: Biaol

SOLID STATE by Team: Gifme5

THE TRAUMA by Team: A Space Odyssey

HEAR MY VOICE by Team: Collective Frame

CHERRY ON TOP by Team: Lost Robot

LIFE INC. by Team: Scarlett Light Media

LITTLE BURST OF ENERGY by Team: Hill Fox Collective

The members of the 2025 Jury

photo of irem coucheron - juror for the sci-fi-london 48hr challenge 2025

IREM COUCHOURON

FESTIVAL PROGRAMMER

photo of gavin rothery - juror for the sci-fi-london 48hr challenge 2025

GAVIN ROTHERY

DIRECTOR, DESIGNER

ADRIAN Tchaikovsky

AUTHOR

photo of jonathan weissler juror for the sci-fi-london 48hr challenge 2025

JONATHAN WEISSLER

PRODUCER

brian bovell as jemboc in Andor

BRIAN BOVELL

ACTOR

NADINA BOERSMA

LUNAR EXPERT

1st place winner 2024

PARALLEL BY TEAM PINGUS

2ND place winner 2024

RAPIER’S FOLLY BY TEAM COBRA WOLF

3RD place winner 2024

A SMALL DETOUR BY TEAM BIG TENT

NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE - TIME TRAVEL IS DANGEROUS

UNREASON BY CHRIS READING, MADE FOR THE SFL 48HR FILM CHALLENGE

Released on 28 March 2025  Time Travel Is Dangerous is a wildly entertaining sci-fi comedy with sharp humour, clever twists, and a fantastic cast. Directed by Chris Reading, the film is based on his original short, which was created for the SCI-FI-LONDON 48-Hour Film Challenge, our film competition that is known for producing innovative and imaginative short films in a weekend!

Time Travel Is Dangerous is coming to UK cinemas from 28th March

BELOW ARE THE WINNING FILMS FOR THE 2023 CHALLENGE

1ST PLACE

2ND PLACE

3RD PLACE

#sfl48hr

Back in 2019, when we could meet and party, the 48hr awards were held at Stratford Picturehouse – check out this video chat with the 2019 winners.   

Check out Gareth Edwards’ take on the 48-hour and how his career changed gear.

From a 5min short to Star Wars!

get involved...

~SFL48hr

What did you do this weekend?

There is no better thing you can do than take part in a 48hr challenge, ‘cos the worst that can happen is you’ll have made a film by Monday!

What happens once you enter?

At 11am (UK time) on challenge day 1,  we will give you the TITLE of the film you will make, a PROP list,  a line of DIALOGUE and an optional IDEA/THEME.  You then have until Monday to WRITE, SHOOT and DELIVER your complete 5-minute film.

Some of our favourites from over 15 years of the challenge.