Film lovers and filmmakers from all over Colorado headed to the Boulder Theatre on Sunday night to see the top ten from the Boulder Shoot Out 24 Hour Film Festival.
The Global Probing Production team took top honors for their short “To Catch a Giggler.” They snagged a spot in the top ten along with the award for best picture and best actors. This was the team’s third year in the competition, their third year making top ten and their second year winning best picture.
The rules of the Shoot Out were simple. Each registered team had 24 hours to make a seven-minute film, from 9 p.m. Friday to 9 p.m. Saturday. They had to incorporate five of the 11 things listed on a brief given to them, which included seven locations, three props and a phrase. One of the five things on the list had to be shown within the first five minutes of the film.
This year, the brief included a feather and a loaf of bread from the Boulder Farmer’s Market, a couple dancing on or by the wooden bridge on the 1200 block of Pearl Street Mall, and the phrase “I love you.” This year’s theme was sustainability.
Filmmakers were not allowed to edit anything outside of the camera besides the sound and had to turn in their short films for judging by 9 p.m. Saturday. Participants then had to attend the premiere Sunday to see if their films made it into the top ten. Forty out of 45 teams made it back to turn their film in on Saturday night.
“Thank you for participating and making us the fast-film capital of the world,” said Michael Conti, the executive director of the festival, before launching the top ten films. “It is really all about sustainability.”
The top ten films were: “Selfless Self Indulgence,” “Newsline Special Report: Dating and Relationships,” “Project Manmade,” “The Supers,” “Hugs Kisses Hugs,” “Problem Maker,” “Cold Read,” “To Catch a Giggler,” “No Good Deed” and “The Sixth Sense.”
There was a diverse mix of films this year, but a comedic theme was apparent. However, every film was unique in its humor and in how it featured the required items and locations.
“Newsline Special Report: Dating and Relationships” featured puppets in the Norlin Library toilet. “The Supers” had a villain named Captain Tourettes. “To Catch a Giggler” had a Michael Conti look-alike, and “Cold Read” had a cameo of Conti himself. “The Sixth Sense” had a little boy “seeing stupid people” instead of “dead people” in a parody of the Hollywood blockbuster.
The awards for best director and best screenplay went to “The Sixth Sense.” Best art direction went to “No Good Deed.” “Cold Read” won best cinematography and editing. “Newsline Special Report: Dating and Relationships” took the best comedy award, and “The Supers” won best sound. “Selfless Self Indulgence” won the award for the best film made by a crew aged 17 and under.
“To Catch a Giggler” featured a plot about a plan to save the Boulder Theatre from destruction by an evil terrorist with a distinctive giggle. The film was complete with an underwater scene, a bathroom scene, time travel and a Conti look-alike getting whacked on the head with a loaf of bread from the Boulder Farmer’s Market.
Global Probing Productions was awarded a check for $1000, a new lighting kit and top honors from fellow filmmakers.
“I don’t really know how to describe how I’m feeling right now,” said Global Probing’s producer Glen Czaplewski after the awards were handed out. “I’m walking on air right now.”