Fifty-five filmmaking teams took on the 48 Hour Film Project challenge of writing, shooting and editing an original short film in just one weekend. Now, fourteen of those films are headed to the Music Box Theatre for the 2026 Chicago 48 Hour Film Project Best Of Awards Screening on Thursday, November 5, at 7 p.m.
The program will feature audience favorites from October’s premiere screenings and the judges’ choice for the competition’s top prize. A Q&A with the winning filmmakers will offer a look at how they brought their film from concept to screen under a strict 48-hour deadline.
The Chicago competition has taken place annually since 2005, bringing together filmmakers of varying experience levels. Part of an international filmmaking competition, the project requires teams to create their shorts over a single weekend while incorporating creative elements assigned at the start.
This year’s 55 teams worked across a range of genres and filmmaking styles, finding ways to turn limited time and resources into completed films.
Joe Moore and Molly Moore, have served as Chicago’s city producers for three years.
“The 48-hour filmmaking weekend is grueling, and every year I’m impressed by how resourceful and relentless these filmmakers are,” Joe Moore said. “No matter what challenges they run into, they find a way to make their ideas work and get their stories on the screen. The films are wildly different in genre and style, but they all showcase the creativity and talent we have right here in Chicago. It’s exciting to see what these teams can pull off in just one weekend, and I can’t wait for audiences to see these films on the big screen.”
Beyond the local awards, the competition’s top film will earn the opportunity to represent Chicago at Filmapalooza in 2027, the 48 Hour Film Project’s international festival. There, it will compete alongside winning films from other participating cities.
For audiences, the November 5 screening brings fourteen of this year’s standout entries together in one program, with a chance to hear directly from the filmmakers about the decisions, obstacles and collaboration behind the winning short.
The Music Box Theatre is located at 3733 N. Southport Avenue in Chicago. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for Music Box Theatre members.
Purchase tickets through the Music Box Theatre.
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