Kokomo Howard County Public Library’s 48-Hour Film Contest draws largest field yet

Above photo/Boys Night Out, by Mountain Kings Productions

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Over the course of a weekend in September, downtown Kokomo became the backdrop for more than a dozen burgeoning filmmakers. Cameras followed actors into stores. Performers raced about, playing out action scenes or important moments of dialogue.

It wasn’t Hollywood, but it sure looked like a lot of fun.

The commotion was caused by the Kokomo Howard County Public Library’s 48-Hour Film Contest, which drew its largest field of filmmakers yet. Participants were lured to Sun King Kokomo, where event organizers “Digital” Ben Rutz and Caele Pemberton handed out key information that had to be included in the competing films.

“Overall, we had 14 teams participate this year; more than any other year,” said Pemberton. “We want to say a huge thank you to our partner, Sun King Kokomo, for allowing us to host the contest at the brewery, and we also want to thank all the local businesses that participated. We look forward to hosting the contest again in 2025.”

Each production team received a location, and film genre, and the key phrase that had to be used at some point in the films, “It’s not just a game.” The clock started at that moment, and each crew had 48 hours to write, film, edit, and submit their work.

The following Friday evening, the teams and their supporters returned to Sun King for a screening of the films. And the library gave out various awards to the best works.

In the category of Best Film, Logical Guest Pictures took home the top prize for the fantasy epic Dildor and the Slayers of Shartonia, featuring Chapter 2 Books.

Dreamscape Studios took home the trophy for Best Directing in the heist film Action Speaks Louder, featuring P.F. Hendricks.

The Rise and Fall of Dr. Dimwit by B-Movie Studios was selected for best screenwriting. The mockumentary (a challenge genre offered to participants looking to show off their skills) featured Kokomo Toys and Collectibles.

Best Performance was awarded to actress Lumen Aerie Foreman in Lumen by State of Flux. The film drew on the horror genre and featured Crystal Wand Creations.

Another challenge genre, Noir, ended up being not so challenging for Third Pillar Productions. It won Best Use of Genre for its film, Fatal Femmes, which featured Comics Cubed.

The locations weren’t just for show, though filmmakers Professional Development were named best in show for their Best Use of Location in He Said She Said, a romance which featured Fired Arts Studio.

And, proving that, indeed, “it’s not just a game,” Team 8 brought home the prize for Best Use of Line in its drama, Honey, featuring Sun King Kokomo.

A full playlist all the participating works in the 48-Hour Film Contest can be found on the library’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlA5sEEPpppsV2vTtzFDzVhS1K_mL3Zmc