The Ottawa International Film Festival’s (OIFF) fourth 72-Hour Film Challenge kicks off on Thursday, January 26 at 6:15pm at the Lieutenant’s Pump.

The 72-Hour Film Challenge tasks filmmakers to write, cast, direct, edit – in other words –create an entire original short film in three days. To give the Challenge an added twist, filmmakers must include plot points and creative criteria set out in a mystery envelope received upon registration.

“I’m always impressed by the film talent we have in Ottawa,” says Nina Bains, Executive Director of OIFF. “With a few cues, filmmakers put together imaginative stories and wonderfully shot scenes in just three days. It’s pretty remarkable.” Last year’s winners, The Waiting Room (Voters Favourite) and Polar Bear Love (Judges Pick) went on to receive national attention.

Interested filmmakers must attend the 72-Hour Film Challenge registration briefing on Thursday, January 26 at 6:15pm at the Lieutenant’s Pump to receive the mystery envelope. Registration cost is $20 per team, and teams must submit their final product by Sunday, January 29 at 7pm.

The selected film entries will be screened and voted on at the Lieutenant’s Pump on Thursday, February 16 at 7pm. The top three films will automatically qualify for the 2012 Ottawa International Film Festival in August. The winning film team will take home a prize pack valued at over $10,000 that includes Adobe Creative Suite Master Collection 5.5 provided by Adobe, and a full RED ONE production/post-production rental package provided by Parktown free of cost to shoot their next short film (some conditions apply). As well, Parktown is offering a 15% discount off indie equipment rental prices to any filmmaker participating in the challenge for their submission.

The OIFF 72-Hour Film Challenge is sponsored by the Lieutenant’s Pump, Adobe, and Parktown.