If somebody were to provide the criteria of a specific character, prop, line of dialog, and film genre, could you make a three- to seven-minute-long short film out of it?
And could you do it in just 72 hours?
Six teams were able to do just that beginning last Friday, Feb. 1. Now the public is invited to join the filmmakers for a free screening of the six films at the State Theatre in Bay City.
Filmmaking teams will be vying for both an audience favorite and a juried competition award at The Hell’s Half Mile Winter Film Slam, which takes place at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8. Awards will also be given out in categories such as Best Actor and Best Actress.
The event was created by local filmmaker and co-owner of Ohno Design, Tammie Stimpfel. Hell’s Half Mile Events coordinated the challenge and screening.
"If you come see these films, you will be surprised by the level of creativity and quality," says the president of Hell’s Half Mile Events, Alan LaFave.
"Being one of the judges, it’s quite invigorating to see the people participating and their excitement."
LaFave has been working to invigorate Bay City’s film and music community for well over a decade now, starting the annual Hell’s Half Mile Film & Music Festival in 2006 and Hell’s Half Mile Events in 2016.
The Film Slam is the second of its kind; the first taking place last fall.
Hell's Half Mile hosts monthly meet-ups and is planning additional events throughout the year to complement the annual Film & Music Festival this September, all with the purpose of nurturing Bay City’s local filmmaking community.
"We’re trying to gather those interested or who are already participating in filmmaking in our community to help support and grow opportunities in the region," LaFave says.
"Let’s meet and collaborate and build our capacity for filmmaking."
Hell’s Half Mile Winter Film Slam begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8 at the State Theatre in Bay City. The event is free and open to the public.
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