In 2013 a collection of novice and experienced filmmakers furiously wrote, produced, edited and delivered short horror films within a truly insane 48-hour period. A month later, these films were screened as part of the 2013 Stranger With My Face Horror Film Festival in front of a sell-out crowd a the Peacock Theatre in Hobart.
Just like a classic horror film the challenge has returned… this time with some extra suspenseful twists!
2013’s signature item was a single phrase, “spit it out”. This year, to ensure even more frantic creativity, there are multiple required mystery elements.
Registered participants will receive an email containing 3 random elements at the start of the challenge:
an object (e.g a dagger, a hairpin, a bowling ball)
a line of dialogue
and
a sub-genre (eg. zombie film, slasher film, nunsploitation)
All 3 must be included in the resulting film, which should be no more than 6 minutes and should fit loosely within the horror genre. The “Tasploitation” element of the Challenge is up to the filmmaker to interpret, whether it entails a generally schlocky vibe, a sensationalist approach or simply that you’re making the film in Tasmania.
If all that isn’t enough, challengers may elect to instead direct a script from this year’s Tasmanian Gothic Short Script Challenge.
If you tick the box “send me a script to consider” on your registration form, you’ll be given both the 3 random signature elements and one of the short-listed 6 page scripts. You must choose between these two options. (Even after reading the script, you may still decide to go with the 3 signature items instead… )
The aim is to encourage greater collaboration between writers and filmmakers. Entrants to the screenwriting challenge may similarly opt out of this idea, as they so choose. The script challenge will be judged entirely separately to the 48-Hour ‘Tasploitation’ Challenge and solely on the merits of the unproduced screenplays submitted.
The shoot weekend begins at 8 pm on 25 July 2014.
To register pay the $30 fee here and then complete the entry form below at the bottom of this page.
All films will screen at the festival in Hobart on 21 August and are eligible for prizes. Participants can be male or female, young or old, amateur or professional filmmakers. Registered participants will receive an email outlining how the films are to be delivered a few days before the challenge begins, but essentially it’s via Dropbox or in person in Hobart.
The 48-Hour Tasploitation Challenge is open to teams and individuals Australia-wide. So get your team together and start stocking up on fake blood!
The judges this year include:
- genre screenwriters Shayne Armstrong and Shane Krause
- MONA Market curator and artist Kirsha Kaechele
- film reviewer and and journalist Tim Martain
- producer and Screen Tasmania board member Anita Ondine
- special guest genre filmmamker Mattie Do
Prizes will include:
- Screen Tasmania Award for Best Film ($500 cash)
- Special MONA prize for originality (tickets to CineMona & lunch for 2)
- Award for Best Performance
- Tasmaniana Award (for the film that references Tasmania in the most creative way).
- Audience Choice Award
Other awards may also be given on the night, at the festival’s discretion.
THE REGISTRATION FORM
