BOISE, Idaho — The i48 Competition and Film Festival continued this weekend despite the coronavirus.
The goal of i48 is to give local filmmakers a chance to showcase their work and network with other filmmakers.
The annual festival sends filmmakers on a 48-hour challenge to write, shoot and edit a short film three to six minutes long.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, i48 decided to cancel their in-person screenings of the films. However, they were able to adapt to an online only version of streaming the films.
On May 29, teams received information packets via email on what genre, characters, lines and props they would have to include in the film. The props included readily available materials in everyone's home.
According to i48, there are two divisions participating in the competition: a Novice and Open division. Each division was given awards for Best Sound and Music, Best Cinematography, Best Actress, 2nd Best Film and Best Film. Winners of all awards are given trophies, but the winners of 2nd Best Film and Best Film receive cash prizes.
While the Novice and Open divisions usually have their own props, this year i48 decided to give both divisions toilet paper as a nod to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Because we didn’t want to tax anybody in finding the prop we went ahead and kept the prop universal across both divisions this year," said Andrew Ellis, Co-Director of i48. "So everybody got to play with toilet paper, and hopefully not waste it.”
On Saturday, May 30, all registered teams submitted their films to i48 online, and all eligible films were evaluated by a judging panel. The judges then watched the films in the safety of their own homes and submitted their top picks on June 5.
According to i48, 36 teams signed up this year, and 26 films were completed. All of the films were livestreamed on June 6 in screening blocks throughout the afternoon. The awards for the films were livestreamed on June 6 at 6 p.m.
All of the results and films are available on i48's website.
The next i48 film festival is in progress to make films about the Old Idaho Penitentiary, and is currently planned to screen at the Old Idaho Penitentiary September 12 and 13.
