Naro screens local 48 Hour Film Projects this week

Making a film is an arduous process that can take months, even years, to complete.

This weekend, a group of filmmakers faced off to make films - start to finish - in 48 hours. All of the writing, acting, filming and editing had to be done in the two days allotted. And the flicks had to include three random elements provided just minutes before the start.

The 48 Hour Film Project, held in 85 cities around the world, is an adrenaline-pumping competition for amateur filmmakers. It kicked off in Hampton Roads on Friday.

All completed films, around seven minutes each, will be screened at the Naro Expanded Cinema in Norfolk on Wednesday and Thursday at 8 p.m. On Saturday at 5:15 p.m., the best 10 films will be screened and awards will be given. Admission is $9 for each night.

The Best of City award winner will then compete against the winners from the other 84 cities at the 2011 Filmapalooza. Winners of that contest will receive cash, professional video equipment and software.

Top 48 Hour films will also be screened at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival in France.

Last year's Best of City film, "The Sea of Trees," produced by Hampton Roads' Idyl King Entertainment, was selected as one of the top films of the 48 Hour Film Project screened at Cannes in May.

Rashod Ollison, (757) 446-2732, rashod.ollison@pilotonline.com