The 72 Hour Shootout filmmaking competition (the “Shootout”) is an annual, global filmmaking competition celebrating diversity in front of and behind the camera.
Teams compete for access to a year of free educational and networking events, mentorships with executives at major networks like ABC, cash, prizes and the chance to have their films screened at film festivals, both nationally and internationally, and on television. The top 50 films from the 2021 Shootout will air across the country on the 2022 season of Film Lab Presents
REGISTER MARCH 1st – JUNE 2nd HERE – more important dates below:
IMPORTANT DATES:
Spring Filmmaking How-To Workshop Series April 30-May 20, 2022 (FREE for registered competitors; all others register here)
June 2, 8pm EST: The THEME of the 2022 Shootout is announced, upon which the films must be based and filmmaking commences!
June 5, 8pm EST: All films are due and Vimeo or retransfer download links must be sent to Shootout@filmlab
July 23, 2022: Special Private Screening & Cocktail Reception in Manhattan for Judges, Sponsors and Top Three Filmmakers
August 2022: The Top Ten Films Premiere at the Asian American International Film Festival
Watch the 2021 Launch Party here!
Watch the 2021 72 Hour Shootout Premiere and Awards Ceremony here
The top 50 films will be showcased in Film Lab’s award-winning TV series Film Lab Presents in the fall!
Registration for the next 72 Hour Shootout is available here from March 1, 2022! Compete from anywhere in the world!
The competition creates a valuable opportunity for filmmakers of color – focusing on Asian American filmmakers – and women, as well as other underrepresented groups, to demonstrate their talent, gain exposure in the entertainment industry and impact the visibility of diverse stories and characters in film. One of the Shootout requirements is that at least one key production member (e.g., director, producer or writer) and a principal actor from each team must be of Asian descent.
Past Judges include hip hop icon Russell Simmons, producer Teddy Zee, ABC Primetime Casting Director Marci Phillips and playwright David Henry Hwang, among many others.
The top 40 films will roll out on AAFL TV. Subscribe for free at YouTube.com/asamfilmlab so you get to see them all!
FREE networking and educational filmmaking workshops March – June and, for the top ten, screenings, screen tests and network TV mentorships!
The actual Shootout itself takes place the first Thursday – Sunday of June. Films are based on a common theme which is announced online that Thursday evening around 8pm EST.
Email Shootout@film-lab.org for more info.
2020 72 Hour Shootout Theme Announcement
The Cre8sian Project Spotlight: The 72 Hour Film
The Best Tips For Making a Short Film in a Short Amount of Time
This Competition Wants to Help You Make a Film in 72 Hours
Asian American Film Lab – Challenging one’s perspective on what it means to be Asian American