NORTH BAY, ON – [Friday, September 11, 2026] – The North Bay Film Festival is inviting filmmakers of all ages and experience levels to participate in its fourth annual 48-Hour Film Competition, taking place October 23 to 25, 2026. Registration is $25 per team and closes Friday, October 16.

The competition kicks off at the Near North Makerspace in downtown North Bay on Friday, October 23 at 6:00 p.m., when teams will receive three required elements to incorporate alongside this year’s theme, “The Grand Reveal.” At 7:00 p.m., teams will begin their 48-hour challenge to create an original short film, with completed films due by 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 25.

The films will be judged by the North Bay Film Festival Shorts jury. The top three films will be presented on the festival website, and the first-place film will screen during the 2026 North Bay Film Festival at the Capitol Centre. Prize packages include cash, screening fees, equipment rental credits, memberships and festival passes.

The 2026 48-Hour Film Competition is presented by the Near North Mobile Media Lab (N2M2L) in partnership with the North Bay Film Festival, with sponsorship from Vanish Entertainment and Sunbelt Rentals, Sudbury. The first-place prize includes $500 from Vanish Entertainment and a $1,000 lighting and grip rental credit from Sunbelt Rentals.

Complete competition details and registration are available at northbayfilmfestival.ca/48hr.

About the North Bay Film Festival

The North Bay Film Festival celebrates cinema through Canadian and international film screenings, filmmaker discussions and community programming. Presented by the Near North Mobile Media Lab and North Bay Film, the 2026 festival takes place November 13 to 15 at the Capitol Centre in North Bay.

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