Action On The Side presents...
The AOTS 48 Hour
Film Competition
24-26 October 2025
Take part from anywhere in the world
24 Oct 2025, 19:00 BST – 26 Oct 2025, 19:00 GMTTake part from anywhere in the world!Get your team together and make a short film in just 48 hours!
Get Your Team Together
From 8pm Friday to 8pm Sunday, your team will have only 48 hours to make your entry.
The films must be 5-7 minutes (including credits), in your allocated genre, and include the random elements
48 hours to
write, shoot, edit, and submit
The Kick-Off
7pm-8pm Friday
streamed online and at an in-person venue
where we will give you tips and tricks, allocate the genres, and announce the random elements
The event will be livestreamed for non-local teams
Register Your Team
Your team can be as big or as small as you want. Work by yourself, with a few friends, or anywhere up to 100 people!
don't have a team?
We Got You!
You can join register to join a team on the day.
You must attend the kick-off event in person.
You'll be put into a team with other people in the same boat.
The Rules
These are the requirements for the competition
Duration
Your entry must be no shorter than 5 minutes and no longer than 7 minutes (including credits)
Random Elements
Your film must clearly include the three random elements announced at the kick-off event: the line of dialogue, the prop, and the shot or filmmaking technique
English Language
Films must be in English or have English Subtitles
Credits
Every person involved in the film must be credited in the film: all cast and crew (not background talent though)
Chain Of Title
You must prove chain of title for your film. That means each person involved must sign the release form and music must be original or fair use (creative commons).
Submission
Your entry must be uploaded and submitted to FilmFreeway by the deadline to be eligible for the awards
Genre
Your film must recognisably fit the genre you are allocated. It can be mixed with another genre. Be creative!
Volunteers Only
No member of your team or person involved in the production can be paid for their work. Everyone is taking part on a voluntary basis
Private
Your film cannot be made available to the public until the selection notifications or after the screening
Our Partners
The Prizes
The top films will premiere on the big screen at our Screening & Awards Ceremony
World Premiere at the Aravali International Film Festival (AOTS Aravali 48 HR)
Mentorship and support to distribute your film
Laurels and Trophies
Screenings with our partner organisations
Winner of Best Film will also screen at The International Film Festival The Hague (AOTS Aravali 48 HR)
Join the Action On The Side community
The Awards
BEST SCREENPLAY
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEST PERFORMANCE
BEST EDITING
BEST SOUNDTRACK
and
BEST FILM
The
SUSTAINABLE STORYTELLING
Award
sponsored by
The Flint Media
for the film that best incorporates a message of sustainability
(October competition only)
are you up for the challenge?
- The Action On The Side 48 HR Film CompetitionFri 24 OctTake part from anywhere in the world!