48 Hour Film Challenge 2025 Rules & Regulations

Back to 48 Hour Film Challenge 2025

​Challenge Rules are as follows:

  • Your completed film must be no longer than five minutes and no shorter than three minutes, this does not include titles and credits.
  • Your completed film must be written and produced between Sat 26 and Mon 28 April 2025.
  • Your film must contain five seconds of black and no bars or tones at the start, followed by five seconds of the supplied TITLE CARD.
  • Your film locations, cast, music and sound effects should all have cleared rights and permissions for your film, in perpetuity, worldwide.
  • You should return your completed film on Mon 28 April 2025 before 1.00 PM by uploading it to a service like Vimeo or Google Drive, and sending us an email link by the deadline.  The email address is 48hr@sci-fi-london.com

    PLEASE NOTE - WE WOULD PREFER NOT TO RECEIVE YOUTUBE LINKS AS THESE CANNOT BE DOWNLOADED!!!

MAKE SURE YOUR FILM'S PERMISSIONS ARE SET TO 'DOWNLOAD'

 

The SCI-FI-LONDON 48hr Film Challenge Rules:

By entering the competition, entrants, together with any other member of the public involved (all such persons being referred to as 'Challenge Participant'), hereby agree to be bound by these rules as amended from time to time, and by the challenge instructions.

It is the responsibility of challenge participants to keep themselves informed on any updates of the rules, and you acknowledge that any failure to comply with these rules could lead to your disqualification without reasons being given.

SCI-FI-LONDON Film Festival, (hereafter known as ‘SFL), concerning Challenge Participant’s involvement in the SFL 48 Film Challenge (hereafter known as ‘Challenge’ and creation of a short film or video (the ”Film”) under the terms below.

  • Your completed film must be no longer than five minutes and no shorter than three minutes, this does not include titles and credits.
  • Your completed film must be written and produced in the period between the challenge Start and End dates
  • Your film must contain five seconds of black and no bars or tones at the start, followed by five seconds of the supplied TITLE CARD.
  • Your film locations, cast, music and sound effects should have cleared rights and permissions for your film, in perpetuity, worldwide.
  • You should return your completed film by the posted end date before 1.00 PM by uploading to a service like Vimeo and sending us an email link by the deadline.  The email address is 48hr@sci-fi-london.com
  • The film must be set to ‘downloadable’ on your chosen platform so we can get a local copy.
  1. The Judges shall be those people detailed on the SCI-FI-LONDON 48-Hour challenge pages.
  2. The decision of the Judges over every instance shall be final and unchallengeable. No correspondence will be entered into or comment issued on any matters concerning the challenge, and no reasons are given for any decision made by the Judges.
  3. The challenge is open to anyone aged 18 or over.  Entrants under 18, can take part with permission in advance from their parent or guardian and be able to demonstrate that to the organiser's satisfaction. Employees of FestivalBiz, The SciFi Factory, contractors, promoters, and individuals connected with any company involved in the competition, agents, and members of the immediate family of the above people will not be eligible to participate.
  4. Proof of submission or posting of a form will not constitute proof of delivery and no responsibility will be accepted for lost, corrupted, delayed or mislaid entries.
  5. There will be no cash or other alternative to the prize offered and prizes are not transferable.
  6. It is understood that SFL reserves the right to screen or exhibit only those films/videos, which adhere to the “Rules of the Challenge.” Challenge Participants hereby understand that they are responsible for all crew, cast, equipment, sets, locations, insurance if needed, and other items necessary for participating in the Challenge.
  7. Challenge Participants hereby understand that they are responsible for all costs, expenses, damages, and claims relating to their participation.
  8. SFL is providing the event and the guidelines in which the Challenge Participant is taking part; a screening opportunity for some of the completed work; and prize(s) for the winner(s).
  9. The Challenge Participant hereby affirms that they will secure agreement from all cast and crew and hereby indemnifies, saves and holds harmless SFL from any claims, costs, damages, expenses and liabilities arising from the creation, use or participation hereunder (including, but not limited to claims for negligence and other torts, unauthorised exhibition, discrimination, fraud, infringement and breach of contract) of Challenge Participant’s film/video.
  10. Challenge Participants hereby acknowledge that the SFL will be an owner of their completed film; and that SFL has the right to screen, show, exhibit, broadcast or disseminate in any way possible, including and not limited to theatrical release, broadcast television, cable television and/or the internet; and the right to publicise the SFL Challenge using the name or images of and from the “Film.”
  11. The Challenge Participant acknowledges that participation in the Challenge is without remuneration or compensation.
  12. You are responsible for ensuring that filming is carried out legally, safely and considerately. Whatever the location, you’ll likely need to notify the owners and local authorities and get permission to film.  Check your local film commission or authority for regional differences.
  13. It is vital that if you intend to use weapons of any kind (replica or otherwise), police or military uniforms or vehicles, or if you intend to recreate a crime or use vehicles on the move, you work within your local Police Service Film Unit’s guidelines. 
  14. The Challenge participant agrees that the Challenge is for recreational purposes only and that SCI-FI-LONDON et al. is not obligated to assign a winner or screen the participant's film if it is not suitable for screening. 

These and all the rules are at the sole discretion of SCI-FI-LONDON et al.



Other things you may be curious about should be covered in our FAQ - https://48hour.sci-fi-london.com/faq/

MAKE SURE YOUR FILM'S PERMISSIONS ARE SET TO 'DOWNLOAD' WHEN SUBMITTING.