FC48 is back for a special Festival Edition during FCFF 2026. Not only will your team have 48 hours over opening weekend to write, shoot, and edit your film, but your creation will hit the big screen in front of our live festival audience!
Ready to race the clock? Here’s what you need to know:
The Forest City 48 is the ultimate test of creativity, speed, and teamwork.
We challenge filmmaking teams to write, shoot, and edit a 4-to-8-minute short film in just one weekend.
To keep things interesting, every team is given a specific prop, a line of dialogue, and a shot type that must be featured in the final cut.
Learn what required prop, line of dialogue, and shot type you will have to include!
Writing, filming, and editing under the clock.
Getting your film across the finish line by the deadline.
All successful films are screened at the Wolf Performance Hall, followed by the awards ceremony.
You don’t need a Hollywood budget, just a team and a dream.
Gather a crew of 5+ people to create your team!
Don’t have a team? Register as an individual, and we’ll help match you with other creators to build a “Free Agent” crew.
Use anything from a smartphone to a professional cinema rig. It’s the story that counts.
We celebrate the incredible work produced under pressure with awards in several categories, including:
Read all RULES & FAQ to make sure you understand what the requirements are for a successful entry into the FC48 Hour Film Challenge.
Yes. While there is no team fee for FC48: Festival Edition, at least one representative from each team must purchase a ticket and attend the Hard Rock Hotel After-Party to receive the prompts and prop.
An Opening Night Bundle is also available, which includes a ticket to both the TD Opening Night film, The Stunt Driver, and Hard Rock After-Party.
Anyone! We welcome filmmakers of all skill levels, from “green” beginners to seasoned professionals. While international competitors are welcome to join, please note that the challenge requires an in-person presence in London, Ontario.
All core team members must be 16 years of age or older. Actors may be of any age, provided they have a signed parental or guardian consent form.
*Note: As these films are unrated, some content may not be suitable for all audiences.*
You can use any gear available to you, from smartphones and GoPros to professional cinema rigs. To ensure your film can be screened, it must be submitted as an H.264 MP4 file in 1080p using a standard film ratio (16:9, 4:3, or Cinema Wide).
Yes. You (or a representative from your team) must be physically present in London for the Hard Rock After-Party to receive your secret elements and for the screening event. However, once the clock starts, you are free to film at any location you choose, provided you follow local laws and safety guidelines.
The 2026 FC48 Spring Edition was our biggest yet, with a record-breaking 22 teams creating short films from scratch over one weekend. With 18 teams making it to the finish line, the challenge culminated in a packed grand premiere screening at Hyland Cinema on June 3rd, celebrating the phenomenal caliber of work from our filmmaking community.
Thank you to all the filmmakers and audience members who made the Spring Edition our biggest one yet!
The 2026 FC48 Spring Edition was our biggest yet, with a record-breaking 22 teams creating short films from scratch over one weekend.
With 18 teams making it to the finish line, the challenge culminated in a packed grand premiere screening at Hyland Cinema on June 3rd, celebrating the phenomenal caliber of work from our filmmaking community.
Thank you to all the filmmakers and audience members who made the Spring Edition our biggest one yet.
