collaborate to create a short film in 48 hours
The Dead of Winter 2026 - 48 Hour Film ChallengeFeb 20 st to 22rd 2026
Register here now. Pay your entry here.
The Dead of Winter 48 Hour Film Challenge is a yearly rescue mission designed to de-ice creative gears that have frozen solid by February. It’s a call to arms (and scarves) to build a cinematic masterpiece with fellow brave souls. The hurdles are mountainous, the wind-chill is personal, and the sleep deprivation is real—but the warmth of the final cut is enough to melt even the most stubborn intellectual permafrost.
In production teams as small as one and as large as six, you can film whatever you want, however you want, as long as nobody gets hurt! Just keep it 14A and under. Max film length accepted will be 15 minutes and Minimum 5. Guidelines on theme and genre as well as props will be disclosed at the start.
Beginning with the launch event on Feb 20, 2026 participants meet and greet their fellow filmmakers.
There is a Q&A, team assignments and your inspiration packages are given out.
You then have 48 Hours to make your masterpiece.
We screen them as teams in person and online 49hrs after start.
A community screening location TBD will be March 1, 2026 - 15$ PWYC for non team members.
Collaborate, Create, and Connect!
No individual gear required!
Open to all ages.
Watch the Final Dead of Winter 2025 Films Here and on the PTBO Film Challenge Facebook page.
Questions or Comments? filmchallege48@gmail.com or info@filmcentralontario.com
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