How many short films have you made this year?
Posted 31st July 2025
Registrations are open now for Aotearoa’s wildest weekend of filmmaking — The Vista Foundation 48Hours. No matter where you are in your career, 48Hours is an opportunity to bring people together and make a film.
Hone your craft in front of or behind the camera! Whether you’re an actor, DOP, director, editor, producer, or composer, this fun-filled weekend is a fantastic time to gather more content for your showreel.
From old friends to new collaborators, this competition gives you a chance to bond with your crew, test out your creative alliances, and practice working together. No need to drag the process out weekend after weekend when you simply have to finish in 48-hours!
It might be time to challenge yourself creatively in a new role! Are you a DOP who has always wanted to direct? A sound recordist who is itching to produce? Here’s your chance!
Supported by WingNut Films and the NZFC, our Grand National Champion title for 2025 is well worth competing for, valued at over $80,000 (that’s almost the equivalent of an NZFC He Kauahi Catalyst funding grant).
Here is a list of all of our fantastic prizes and awards up for grabs!
Whether you want to polish it up and send it on the festival run or use it to support your next funding application, there’s always a reason to celebrate when you have come out of the weekend with another film in your back pocket.
Ultimately, this competition is a chance to have more fun than you can imagine doing the thing you love.
The Vista Foundation 48Hours is more than a competition - don’t just take it from us!
A chance to learn, collaborate, and grow; Liam Maguren (previous 48Hours Grand National Winner), says it all:
“I earnestly believe this [48Hours] creates the best environment for filmmakers to find their voice. Go in with that attitude and you'll learn something new about the craft, yourself, and the kind of filmmaking that sits right by you—no matter what you end up creating.” - Liam Maguren, 2022 National Winner.
