The organiser of a student film challenge at Bournemouth University has spoken of the project’s success.

Janka Neustupova, 27, said the difficult ‘48 hour challenge’, which took place this weekend and requires entrants to write, shoot and edit a short film in just two days was met with enthusiasm by participants. “We’re really happy with how it turned out - it’s always difficult to predict these things.”

Competition rules also state that students have to produce films on one topic, which is revealed on the first day of the challenge. The contest was suggested by Masters student Neustupova, as a way of showing aspiring filmmakers’ work.

“This way, you can show the films and that’s the most important thing. The Media School has great potential but students don’t film enough, they need to practise. With university assignments, briefs are strict. With this, you can take it how you want.”

Judge and lecturer Ashley Woodfall, who sat alongside scriptwriting lecturer Resh Somauroo and television editor Ian Sutherland said the panel was impressed by the quality of the films, despite the strict deadline.

“You would think the rush would mean the films wouldn’t hold together, but the cinematography was excellent.”

The winning film, The Maltese Panda was produced by scriptwriting students James Keenan, Tim Vivian-Shaw and Marcus Dean.

Miss Neustupova praised the film saying “It was a really good film - they considered the visual elements as well – it was really clever and intelligent.”

Mr Woodfall added that he hopes the university can repeat the one-off event after the organising students have left. “The idea is to pass the baton along because this was a student-led event.”

The films can be seen online at youtube.com/Bournemouth48Hour

Myah Guild