Frantic filmmaking fun _{by Alessia Belsito-Riera}

Over just one weekend in August, more than 4000 filmmakers across Aotearoa put their skills to the test in what can only be described as a whirlwind of creativity, chaos, and collaboration. The 542 teams of all ages, abilities, and walks of life set out to write, shoot, and edit a one to five-minute movie under extreme time pressure in the name of furious filmmaking.

The Vista Foundation 48Hours is Aotearoa's biggest and boldest guerrilla filmmaking competition. It pushes the boundaries of what's possible with a tight deadline and a brilliant idea and celebrates storytelling. With a given genre and a set of required elements that must be incorporated into a narrative, established and emerging talents alike push at the confines of creativity to craft the extraordinary in under 48 hours.

In 2025, Te Whanganui-a-Tara took the lead with 173 teams, the best of which will have their film screened at the Embassy Theatre on the 18^th of September for the Regional Finals. Here, they will vie for a spot in the Grand National Final on the 25^th of October in Pōneke at the Embassy Theatre, where the ultimate champion will be crowned.

“The Regional Finals are a fantastic opportunity for the public to see the incredible talent that exists right here in their own community,” 48Hours national manager Vanessa Patea says. “Every year, we are blown away by the creativity, ingenuity, and sheer determination of these filmmakers. It’s a testament to the resilient filmmaking culture in New Zealand.”