North Bay Film Festival 2025 | November 14-16

The jury panel will consider the following criteria:

Creative storytelling and script development; the level of entertainment your film offers; the direction; acting performances; the overall production quality of the project.

Every filmmaking team should aspire to create a short film that can shine independently, separate from the competition, while still adhering to all the challenge guidelines and staying on theme.

Official Rules:

• If you registered as a team, the person registering will be considered the team leader.
• All elements of film creation must be done in the 48-hour period only, including but not limited to: writing, rehearsing, costume/set design, shooting, sound work, editing, exporting, and uploading.
• The only work that may begin prior to the launch: organizing cast and crew, securing equipment, scouting/securing locations.
• All footage must be shot within the 48-hour time period of the project (no stock footage or footage created at any other time is permitted).
• Animation and special effects are permitted but must be created during the 48-hour time period.
• Only original music, Creative Commons music, or music with documented granted permission can be used.
• Completed films must be handed in upon the completion of the 48 hours, an exact time will be given to contestants.
• Completed film exports must follow the technical requirements (a reference sheet will be provided via email).
• Films must be a minimum of 2 minutes and a maximum of 5 minutes long.
• If needed, participants can use gear from N2M2L for free.

*Any violation of these rules will result in immediate disqualification from the competition*

Prizes:

🏆 1ST PLACE

• $500 Cash Prize
• $270 Screening Fee + Presentation at NBFF & on NBFF website
• $1,000 Lighting & Grip rental (Sunbelt Rentals, Sudbury)
• $300 Equipment rental (N2M2L)

🏆 2ND PLACE

• $100 Website presentation fee
• $200 Equipment rental (N2M2L)

🏆 3RD PLACE

• $100 Website presentation fee
• $100 Equipment rental (N2M2L)

✨ PLUS ✨

• Festival Passes (up to 5 per team)

Submission Requirements:

Camera:

Any type of camera can be used for this project. There is no limit to the amount of cameras that can be used on your shoot.

Export:

File naming convention as follows:

• Title_TeamName_NBFF48_Date.mov
• Full Resolution H264 QuickTime .mov*
• Audio peaks should not exceed -2db

Slating:

Before your film begins there should be

• 5 seconds of black
• A title card reading “This film was made for the 2025 NBFF 48hr Film Competition”
• 2 seconds of black
• A title card with the film’s title and date

Credits:

Credits may run no longer than 45 seconds. The length of the credits will be considered additional to the length of the film.

Contact Us:

Have a question? Send us an email at [email protected] and we’ll be glad to help answer any questions you might have.

2024 Competition Winners:

Check out all the thrilling films from this year’s 48-Hour Film Challenge on our YouTube channel! See our official winners announcement HERE.