And action: 72-hour movie makers’ films to premiere at awards ceremony

The results of Northampton’s first-ever 72 Hour Film Challenge will be shown on the silver screen at a special awards ceremony next week.

The University of Northampton contest, which was open to students, graduates and the general public, challenged entrants to write, shoot and edit an entire short film within just 72 hours.

Films by the eight crews that entered will be shown at the ceremony, before the winner of best picture is revealed.

The event, which is open to the public and held at The NN Café in the heart of the town’s cultural hub, will also feature DJs, guest musicians and a bar.

Daniel Oxer, Lecturer in Film and Video Production at the University, said: “We’ve been delighted with the response to our very first Northampton 72 Hour Film Challenge – to have eight crews enter shows the real enthusiasm there is for film-making here in the county.

“The crews have spent three full days shooting and editing their masterpieces, so it’s been pretty hectic and they’ve been under immense pressure, but we think the awards-goers will be impressed by the results.”

Entrants will be in the running for a host of prizes, including £250 cash from the University for the winners, and the following which have been donated by kind sponsors: five tickets to the Errol Flynn Filmhouse; a £20 voucher from Spiral Archive Records; a £50 voucher from Skears Photographic; a signed rugby shirt and ball from Northampton Saints and a £25 voucher from The Lamplighter pub.

The awards ceremony takes place from 8pm on Wednesday 11 May at The NN Café within the NN Art Space, 9 Guildhall Road, Northampton, NN1 1DP.

Entry is free.