The Inland Empire Media Academy (IEMA) and San Bernardino Valley College's Radio, TV, and Film (RTVF) Department brought back the 48 Hour Film Project back to the region, after a five-year hiatus. During the event from August 2-4, teams had 48 hours to write, shoot, and edit a four-to seven-minute film. The competition was open to people of all ages and skill levels.


Lucas Cuny, director of the IEMA, says by having the 48 Hour Film Project based at SBVC, it demonstrates the San Bernardino Community College District's "dedication to training and educating students in one of the state's largest economies, media and film. Having the Inland Empire 48 Hour Film Project here at Valley means Valley is the center of that training and education."


Nearly 200 campus and community members were in attendance for the premier screening on August 8 at the SBVC Auditorium, where 14 teams participated, including three teams made up of SBVC students. The event was free and open to the public, and included question and answer sessions with the filmmakers. The event was expected to have raised nearly $1,000 for the IEMA, and served as an exceptional promotion for the SBVC campus and RTVF program.

 
A panel of judges awarded honors to the top productions, with the Best Film winner sent to the international competition, Filmapalooza. Of the 100 or so films submitted, only 12 will be selected to screen at the Short Film Corner at the Cannes International Film Festival.

  
"This project is important for Inland Empire filmmakers because it is an opportunity to show their peers and the world what they are capable of," RTVF instructor Kevin Lyons says. "They also get the chance to exhibit their films on the big screen in front of a wide audience. For some of them, this could be the first time they've seen their work in a theater."

 
Cuny also says it is a wonderful opportunity for community members to show support to local filmmakers and the risks they take as artists to create stories that may launch their careers. “It's also a great place for some of our larger employers in the region, such as San Manuel, ESRI, Kaiser, and the like to see the talent we have in the region for media arts. Ultimately, you have to support the home team," he said. 

 
Lyons agrees, and said, "It is important that communities support their creatives, because in many ways creatives are the heart and soul of communities," he says. "We should all support and nurture them if we want our city to thrive."