24 Calgary film-makers competed in the 24 Hour Film Race.

Most directors struggle to complete a film over a course of months. However, 24 groups of adventurous Calgary film-makers got together the weekend of May 18^th when they took on a task slightly more ambitious – to create a short film in 24 hours.

The 24 Calgary film-makers were part of a group of over 750 teams worldwide that competed in this year’s 24 Hour Film Race. Out of the 17 North American cities that held film races, as well as a number of international cities, Calgary had the most sponsors – with local organizations such as Quickdraw Animation and Company of Rogues Actors’ Studio offering prizes to the lucky winners. Calgary also had a high number of participants – beating both Montreal and Toronto.

Teams of film-makers were given three things to create a short film around: a theme (‘one’), an object (‘one’), and an action (‘listening to music’). The films also had to be less than four minutes in length. As you may have guessed by the prompts, this year’s race was sponsored by the HTC One.

The requirements created a variety of challenges for the teams. Ajay Bhandari, who directed the Voices of Reason, said  that the strongest challenge for his team, YYC Blitz, was “staying on plan. It was really a race against the clock.”

Ron Devitt, who has produced Calgary’s 24 Hour Film Race for three of its four years, is excited by how much interest in the race has grown. “We had 10 teams in the first year, last year 14, now 24,” said Devitt.

The films premiered on June 27^th at the Plaza Theatre to a packed audience. The films were judged by local film-makers, and were up for a variety of local awards. Prizes included acting sessions from Company of Rogues Actor’s Studio, an equipment rental package from William F. White, and animation lessions from Quickdraw Animation. The best film (awarded this year to The Last One by team Urban Revolver), will be moving on to New Yok to compete with the top 23 films around the world for $10,000, among other prizes.

Darren Harmon of Urban Revolver, who created the winning film, was excited to see so many entrants. “The ante is upped,” said Harmon.

To enter the film race you only need two things – creativity and a team. The race is open to film-makers of all skill levels, and its intention is to foster ingenuity and community through film. “Go do something creative!” said Devitt as advice to anyone who might want to throw their hat in the ring next year.

Click through for a full list of the award-winning Calgary Films.

Winning Films:

Best Makeup – Number One Fan by Decker Pharma (Nick Meunier)

Best Costume Design – The Voices of Reason by YYC Blitz (Ajay Bhandari)

Special FX – The Last One by Urban Revolver (Darren Harmon)

Best Visual FX – Eric’s Trun by Grovehouse (Adam Grisack)

Best Set Design – The Martini Shot by Blind Luck pictures / SPR productions (Alex Williams)

Best Sound Design – Solo by Renaissance Pictures (Scott Sullivan)

Best Original Score  - The Last One by Urban Revolver (Darren Harmon)

Best Editing – The Voices of Reason by YYC Blitz (Ajay Bhandari) and Eric’s Trun by

Grovehouse (Adam Grisack)

Best Cinematography – The Voices of Reason by YYC Blitz (Ajay Bhandari)

Best Writing – The Last One by Urban Revolver (Darren Harmon)

Best Acting Ensemble – The Martini Shot by Blind Luck pictures / SPR productions (Alex Williams)

Best Actress – Chasing Fin by i4Life Studios (Ryan Sauve) and Arthouse Soliloquy by Horizon Collaborations (Nick Cupelli)

Best Actor – The Voices of Reason by YYC Blitz (Ajay Bhandari)

Best Director – The Martini Shot by Blind Luck pictures / SPR productions (Alex Williams)

Best Film – The Last One by Urban Revolver (Darren Harmon)

Audience Choice – Cupcake by Film Strippers (Monica Neira)