The 48 Hour Film Project - Houston

Best of 2009

At the Talento Bilingual de Houston Theater (333 S. Jensen, Houston)

June 28, 2009

Houston Producer Laura Schlecht

Hundreds of people filled the TBH Theater, Sunday night, June 28, 2009 for the 2009 48 Hour Film Project Best of Houston Awards. This event marks the end of the Houston version of the 48 Hour Film Project, where filmmakers make a film in a mere 48-Hour period. This is the largest of the short film competitions in the world. C-47 Houston magazine has been tracking the Houston version since the beginning of June. The competition kicked-off at The Usual Neighborhood Pub Friday afternoon, June 5, 2009 and filmmaker returned to place of embarkation to turn in their completed works by the stated deadline Sunday, June 7, 2009 at 7:30PM. Each filmmaking team randomly pulled a piece of paper with the type of film they were to make, literally taken from a hat. The film was to contain three additional elements: A character by the name of Jarod or Janice Puller (an officer), they had to use a "BALL" of some sort as a prop in the film and someone in the film had to say the words, "I am just not sure about that.". This competition brought out some of Houston's best filmmakers, but as the Houston producer of the 48 Hour Film Project - Houston, Laura Schlecht, stated at the Awards, before naming the winner, "There can only be one winner and the winner is..."

See the pictures from the the various 48 Hour Film Project events for 2009

The Houston Fringe Festival 48HFP Showcase 05-17-09 (see the pixs)

The 2009 48HFP's BootCamp at Fitzgeralds 05-28-09 (see the pixs)

The 48HFP-Houston Kick-Off at the Usual Pub 06-05-09 (see the pixs)

The 48HFP-Houston Film Drop-Off 06-07-09 (see the pixs)

The 48HFP-Houston Best of Houston Awards (see the pixs)

Of course, before she announced the winners, some of the best of the short films were screened including: 

Awaken Dreams by In Town Digital
BetMan by Sweet Baby Jesus
Crassius by Paper Faces Productions
Dinner With Jackie by The Mayor of Cat Town
Hellidays by Away With Film
La Dent Noir by DGC Productions
Observe and Protect by The Posse
Pursuit by Fire Pig Productions
Quality Time by Twisted15
Saving Our Suburbs by Xyro Productions
Subterfuge by 4th Collective
Suite by Hot Pixel Action
To Serve and Neglect by Morning Wood Productions

In all, Houston saw a record 48 teams register for this annual completion. According to the Houston Producer 40 teams managed to turn in their films in on time. 

The screening portion of the 48 Hour Film Project – Houston was an exciting time. According to Houston Producer Ms. Laura Schlecht, hundreds of people came to the premiere screenings Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at the new Studio Movie Grill City Centre at Town and Country on the corner of I-10 and Beltway 8 and Thursday, June 11, 2009 to see short films made by some of Houston’s talented filmmakers. C-47 Houston magazine was there on Thursday, June 11th to see a theater full of film lovers and supporters. It was an awesome sight! After a brief presentation by Ms. Schlecht, the films that missed the deadline, or came in late, and not eligible for competition were shown on the big screen. In many cases, these films were fine examples of creative filmmaking yet not complete and not on time. Following, were films submitted for competition and on time. Many of this year’s films, as was last year, were very well made in the true sense of the elements involved with filmmaking in lighting, sound, composition, editing and production quality. 

According to ticket sales, there were standing room only theaters and sold out theaters for the first night screenings and partially for the second night screenings. Both nights brought in a who’s who of filmmakers, producers, directors, crew, writers, actors and, of course, supporters and fans.

On Saturday, June 13, 2009 Ms. Schlecht announced the Audience Awards winners that were selected by the public and by popular vote. At the screenings the audience was given voting ballots for Audience favorite. All films, on-time and late, are eligible for the Audience Award. The winners for the Audience Awards include:

From Screening Group "A":  (((There is a Tie))):

"BetMan" By the Sweet Baby Jesus production company (you can see the video (here)) And, 

"Saving our Suburbs" by the Xyro Productions company (you can see the video (here))

From Screening Group "B": 

"Subterfuge" by the 4th Collective production company (you can see the video (here))

From Screening Group "C":

"Dinner with Jackie" by The Mayor of Cat Town production company

From Screening Group "D":

"La Dent Noir" by the DGC Productions company. (you can see the video (here))

The “Best Film of the City” was judged by a Houston panel who use criteria of Creativity (40%), Technical Merit (30%) and Adherence to the Assignment (30%) to determine the merits of a particular film. if you didn't attend this Awards presentation you missed out on a lot of fun. C-47 Houston was there to support our filmmaking endeavors. You can see the pictures (here)

The winners for this year's 2009 48 Hour Film Project-Houston Best of Awards include: 

Congratulations to all our filmmakers! "Sbuterfuge" by 4th Collective will now go on to represent Houston at Filmapalooza 2010 where they will compete with other city winners and international city winners from around the world for the title of "Best 48 Hour Film of 2009"

You can purchase the 2009 Best of Houston 48HFP DVD by visiting www.48hourfilm.com/houston 

www.C47Houston.com