Welcome to 48 Hours Later, Fear Screen’s fast‑paced filmmaking challenge powered by The Set Starters Group. This event is designed to test your creativity, teamwork, and stamina as you race to write, shoot, and deliver a complete short film in just two days. Below you’ll find everything you need to know about the challenge’s schedule, creative rules, safety standards, and submission guidelines. Please read carefully before taking part. Challenge Schedule Challenges normally kicksoff at 19:00, and runs continuously until 19:00, a total of 48 hours. All creative work, from concept through to final export, must be completed entirely within this timeframe. Production Rules To keep the competition fair and true to the spirit of the challenge: All writing, filming, editing, sound design, and colour grading must be completed within the 48‑hour period. Finished films must run between 5 and 10 minutes, excluding the opening title card. End credits may be included within or beyond this limit. All footage must be captured during the challenge window. No stock footage or pre‑shot material is allowed, except for organiser‑supplied assets. No copyrighted material (music, clips, images, etc.) may be used unless you hold written permission. Original or royalty‑free content is fine. Trailers up to 60 seconds long may be created and shared after submission, but the full film must not be publicly released before its official Fear Screen Film Festival (FSFF) premiere. Safety and Permissions We want everyone to have fun — and stay safe: Any stunts, weapons, or potentially hazardous locations must be properly risk‑assessed and managed responsibly. Teams must secure rights and permissions for all locations, actors, music, sound effects, and images used. This includes worldwide screening and online use in perpetuity. (Templates can be found in the “Releases” folder.) Anyone appearing on camera must give permission to be filmed. For participants under 18, written consent from a parent or legal guardian is required. Content and Eligibility Fear Screen Film Festival (FSFF) and its project partners reserve the right to disqualify any entry that breaches these rules or contains material deemed inappropriate, unsafe, or non‑compliant with submission guidelines. Before You Upload Once your film is complete: Submit it by the official deadline announced at the start of the challenge. Do not post or screen the full film publicly before its FSFF premiere screening. You’re welcome and encouraged to share your 60‑second trailer to promote your work and celebrate the effort behind it! Final Thoughts 48 Hours Later exists to inspire creativity under pressure and celebrate independent voices in horror and genre filmmaking. These rules aren’t here to restrict you — they’re here to level the playing field so every team has a fair, thrilling experience. Good luck, stay safe, and most importantly… keep it scary.
