72 Film Fest: 72 Hours to Make a Movie.

YEAR 19: OBSTRUCTIONS

It’s the “complete” playlist for 72 Film Fest 2024.

Below is the Full Friday Night Premieres in original screening order, the award ceremony from Saturday Night, plus “Capitalism 101”, the short with your hosts Mikael and Doug! Watch it below or on YouTube HERE if you have issues.

If you have uploaded a YouTube copy, be sure to reach out so we can substitute that one for the one in this playlist. Also be sure to make sure your video is “embeddable” so it will appear properly.

What an incredible showing of films and we want to congratulate each and every team that turned in a movie this year. It was the closest judging we’ve had in years (maybe ever) and we wish we could have moved on so many more films.
The Finalists for 72 Film Fest 2024 are:

OBSTRUCTIONS:
Filmmakers are oftentimes hit with limitations and hurdles: budget, equipment, locations, actors, makeup effects, visual FX, scheduling etc and sometimes artists challenge themselves with creative limitations to create a particular feeling for a film. Think Dogme95 movement, Stanley Kubrick only using practical light, or Danny Boyle shooting 28 Days Later on MiniDV (and now it’s sequel on iPhone). While a 72 Hour Film already provides you with a unique challenge, for 2024 we are going to explore some other potential limitations and obstacles filmmakers may come across in the form of OBSTRUCTIONS.

There are 25 Obstructions designated in ONE of FIVE Skilled categories: Acting, Writing, Editing, Cinematography and Production Design. Each obstruction is meant to push you, challenge you, and inspire you to tell your story in a particular way. Think requiring an ensemble cast, or maybe a cast of only one. Making a non-linear film, or only shooting in POV. Students are required to pick ONE OBSTRUCTION, Amateurs TWO, and Pros THREE, and may pick only ONE obstruction PER CATEGORY. They are color coded, so don’t pick more than 1 of each color.

We want the obstructions to influence your films thematically as well as technically. Let the deliberate choices influence the story/character/arc of the film.

View 72 Film Fest 2024 film guide.

SKILL	OBSTRUCTION	Description	Clarification
Cinematography	POV	Whole film shot in Point of View
Cinematography	STATIC	No Camera Movement at all throughout film.	We are going to allow Zoom. Camera should not physically move or be moved during shot.
Cinematography	SINGLE TAKE SCENES	No visual cuts within each scene. You can cut upon entering a new scene but must have no visual cuts within that scene etc.	It's possible you can hide cuts. If we can't see the cut it won't be considered a visual cut. It has to be hidden tho.
Cinematography	MIRROR GLASS	No shots may have direct line of sight. They must be shot through a window, a transparent object, a mirror etc.	Window, Transparent Object, Mirror aren't the only thing you can shoot through. It just needs to not be a direct line of sight. Be creative.
Cinematography	DOLLY JIB	Camera must be moving throughout entire film but not handheld.	Steadicam/Gimble Ok. We don’t want to see any movement primarily through “Shakycam” handheld. Think floating cam, dollies, jibs, sliders etc.
Writing	CHAMBER	Entire film must take place within 1 location.
Writing	PARALLEL	Must tell at least 2 parallel stories.
Writing	MUSICAL	Every scene must include singing.
Writing	UNRELIABLE	Tell a story where the narrator is unreliable.	This does not have to have literal narration.
Writing	ASIDE	Every scene must have a fourth wall break.
Acting	SILENT	Tell/Act the story with No Dialogue.	No Dialogue, but diagetic sound ok.
Acting	CAST OF 1	Only 1 Cast Member throughtout film.	Only 1 Cast Member. That Cast member can play as many roles as you want. Also - we are going to allow animals alongside the Human Cast Member.
Acting	YOUTH	No Cast over the age of 12 throughout film.
Acting	NO YOUTH	No Cast under 55 throughout film.
Acting	ENSEMBLE	No Scene less than 5 People throughout film.	All scenes need 5 people. They do not all need to be speaking in every scene etc.
Production Design	THE VOLUME	All shots must be either green screened or rear projected.
Production Design	PERIODPIECE	Setting must be from 1940’s or earlier.
Production Design	Soundstage	Must shoot on a constructed set	Since it wasn’t clarified as Full Film, this may be a scene. Cannot be a throwaway shot tho.
Production Design	The Future	Setting must be at least 30 years in future
Production Design	MONSTER FX	Main Character must be a monster with makeup effects	We are going to allow any physical monster effects not just makeup which includes puppetry. Digital effects do not count towards this.
EDITING	NON LINEAR	Story must be non-linear/non-chronological
EDITING	ADR	All Dialogue and Sound must be done in Post.
EDITING	HYPERCUT	No shot should last more than 5 seconds.	Do not do a "YouTube cut" where you are just cutting a few frames out of a single shot every 5 seconds. It should be visually different to count as a cut.
EDITING	SPLIT SCREEN	Entire film must be told in a split screen.
EDITING	VFX	Must include special digital visual effects throughout	By throughout it doesn’t mean present on every frame/scene etc. It just needs to be integral.

2024 HOSTS:

Mikael Johnson has been writing and performing in the DMV for over 20 years. He has been a part of the 72 Film Fest team every year except one or two. A native of Middletown, Mikael got his start taking classes at the Maryland Ensemble Theater (MET), where he eventually joined the company and was cast in several productions. Currently, he resides in Fairfax, Virginia, and is the proud father of the world’s greatest almost ten-year old girl. He is one-half of the improv duo, “ShawnMikael(s)”, and continues to perform regionally whenever he can. Mikael couldn’t be prouder to be a part of the 72 Film Fest team and wants to thank all the teams that come back year after year to participate—we couldn’t have done it without you.

Doug Powell is excited to be back hosting the 72 Fest for year 19! Doug is a Frederick local with a background in stand-up comedy and storytelling who has co-hosted the fest on and off since 2010. Doug has starred in several short films including “Apocalypse Rock,” a short film by Star Wipe Films featuring Doug’s character Tom as possibly the last man on earth spending his last days in a radio tower desperately attempting to contact someone. Doug worked as a stand-up comedian from 2000 - 2013 where he was based in Washington, DC and Baltimore. In 2014 Doug changed direction and began working as an electrician. Doug is now a Master Electrician in the state of Maryland and proud co-owner of Lumen Brothers Electric Company; a small, family-operated residential electrical company based in Frederick, Md. The 72 Fest is still one of his favorite projects to be a part of.

2024 JURY:

Bethany Michalski is a Los Angeles & Baltimore- based cinematographer and director. The instincts from her street photography days and MFA training from the AFI Conservatory (MFA Cinematography19’) have shaped her focus. Today. Michalski embraces her naturalistic sensitivities and interest in blending the narrative & documentary worlds. Most notably, Bethany’s directing and cinematography work have premiered at the DGA, Nobudge, Camerimage, Outfest, and Holly Shorts

Matt Edens: In more than two decades writing for television, Matt has scripted everything from Saturday morning cartoons to true crime documentary series such as A&E’s City Confidential, Snapped on Oxygen and Murder Comes to Town for Investigation Discovery. Currently, he is the head writer for Fatal Attraction on TV One.

RONA MENSAH is an accomplished Professional Broadcaster, Emcee, and Actor. She is best known for having worked as a Radio and TV personality in Washington, DC Metro region. In addition, she serves on the Board of Trustees and is a Company Member of Maryland Ensemble Theatre where she’s just as comfortable contributing onstage as she is behind the scenes. She’s thrilled to return to 72 Fest

ADELINE THERY is a French actress and musical artist living in Brooklyn, New York. Performing from a young age, she relocated to Barcelona in her late teens to study physical theatre. She later moved to New York and has continued to act and perform between Europe and the United States. Her on-screen work spans between commercial and narrative, with roles in films such as Are We Not Cats, Come to the Show and Leda. She co-created the stage show Este verano hice parapente y me reconcilié con el vacío, and recently released her second full length music album under the stage name Lizzy Young.

Mike Yamrus is a versatile Producer, Editor and Project Manager, recognized for his ability to bring creative visions to life through a blend of artistic and visual storytelling. With a strong background in cinematography and editing, Mike has worked on a wide range of projects, from documentary films to commercial productions. His expertise lies in seamlessly managing teams, budgets, and timelines while maintaining a strong creative focus. Mike competed in the 72 Film Fest between 2007-2010 and has been a member of the 72 Team since 2011.

Sasha Bishop’s been working in the world of
video production for nearly 20 years. She’s
had the opportunity to work on some really
incredible award winning productions, but
her fondest memories come from shoe string
budgets that thrived on sheer will & several
trips to the thrift store. She loves seeing what
people can achieve when limitations abound.

CAOIMHE CARTY is a Northern California-based Video Editor from Ireland, which explains the confusing name. Originally intending to be a Zoologist she moved to the US and fell into the world of film, where she was able to combine her skills as an artist and classically trained musician.
She has worked on a wide range of projects, including Green Day’s feature film Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk, broadcast shows for Animal Planet and Science Channel, TV commercials, Short Docs, and more.
When not working she enjoys sketching, boxing, and writing the plot outline for her detective show which she hopes to some day pass off to someone who can actually write.

SAMUEL TRESSLER IV is a filmmaker based in New York and Maryland. While working professionally in production camera work and post-production editing both at home and abroad, his focus lies on writing & directing narrative, concept-driven motion picture pieces both short and long. A former participant of 72, Samuel joined the board in 2014 and became the first former team to collaborate with the fest in making a feature film, Leda, the 3D passion project now available on streaming platforms and physical media.

Adam Lemnah is a transplant to Los Angeles
who grew up in Frederick. I’m a film and
television editor with work on shows including
Once Upon a Time, Drunk History, Amazing
Stories and Lovecraft Country. Recently I was
the recipient of the Best Editing award at the
2021 LA Indie Film Festival for my work on the
feature film AMERICAN CHERRY, a coming-of-
age thriller. When I’m not working, I am spending time with my wife and son and our two dogs Betsy and Mando. @adamlemnah (IG) @AdamLemnah (FB)

Full Episodes:
Comatoast meets Shrug!
Pecos Bill and the Wranglers meets Star Wipe!
Ah Muh Face meets Crowded Elevator!
Skinhunger meets Screenburn!

Every year filmmaking teams from across the country compete in timed film competitions like the 72 Film Fest. On each episode of Tales from the 72, we pair up two teams to chat about the fun and challenges of making a movie in a weekend. War Stories will be shared, advice will be given, and with any luck lifetime friendships will be made.

If you’ve participated in more than 3 years and want to be a part of the podcast, use contact form.

Visit/Join Meetup Group

Let’s bring together all the filmmakers, writers, editors, actors and other screen artists in Frederick! Whether you’ve participated or even helped out on 72 Film Fest, or you’re a creative wanting to meet other likeminded folks, let’s make some connections and have some fun. Check the Frederick Filmmakers Meetup or Frederick Filmmakers FaceBook Group for casual meet ups, movie trips and more! If you’d like to host an event, let us know and you can share to the group.

Leda 3D/2D Is Now Available Blu-ray and Streaming!
Purchase or Watch Now.

YEAR 19: OBSTRUCTIONS

2024 HOSTS:

2024 JURY:

Leda 3D/2D Is Now Available Blu-ray and Streaming! Purchase or Watch Now.

Leda 3D/2D Is Now Available Blu-ray and Streaming!
Purchase or Watch Now.