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Orange County 48-Hour Film Challenge Comes to Brea

PVC Staff

Southern California filmmakers looking to sharpen their skills—and put them to work immediately—will have a new opportunity this August.

Film Lab 714 is presenting the OC Film Workshop and 48-Hour Film Challenge from August 18–20, 2026, in Brea, California. Designed for filmmakers ages 18–35, the event combines two days of in-person instruction with a team-based production challenge that takes participants from story development to a completed short film.

The format is intentionally practical: learn the filmmaking process, meet potential collaborators, form a crew, and then make a movie under deadline.

Learn the Craft, Then Make the Film

The workshop takes place August 18 and 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day. Sessions will cover key creative and production disciplines, including:

The program also addresses a question facing filmmakers at every level: how can emerging technology support production while keeping human creativity at the center of the process?

Instruction will be led by working Hollywood filmmakers whose combined credits and professional experience include projects for Netflix, Sony Pictures, Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, and the U.S. Air Force, along with feature films and television series such as The Amazing Spider-Man, Total Recall, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, NCIS, and Criminal Minds.

The 48-Hour Film Challenge

Participants will form teams during the first workshop day. The filmmaking challenge begins on the evening of August 18, when teams receive their themes and creative limitations.

From there, the clock is running.

Teams must develop the story, write the script, organize production, shoot, design sound, edit, and upload a completed film by midnight on August 20. Sound and lighting resources will be available, and participants may indicate during registration whether they plan to bring their own camera or production equipment.

For filmmakers accustomed to discussing projects that never quite make it into production, the compressed schedule offers a useful change of pace. Decisions have to be made, problems have to be solved, and the film has to be finished.

The challenge also creates an opportunity to meet other Orange County filmmakers in person. Writers, directors, actors, cinematographers, editors, producers, VFX artists, and other emerging crew members can build relationships while working together on an actual production.

Prizes, Screening, and Recognition

Completed films will be presented at a community screening and awards event that will be open to the public. Planned awards include an Audience Award, a Grand Jury Prize, and recognition for individual disciplines such as writing, directing, producing, acting, cinematography, art direction, visual effects, and editing.

The organizer has also announced several production-focused prizes:

The event is sponsored by Filmtools and Blackmagic Design.

Event Details

Event: OC Film Workshop and 48-Hour Film Challenge
Dates: August 18–20, 2026
Workshop hours: 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., August 18 and 19
Film submission deadline: Midnight on August 20
Location: 3100 E. Birch Street, Brea, California 92821
Eligibility: Ages 18–35
Registration: $40
Early-bird price: $25 with code 15off through August 4
Screening and awards: Date to be announced
Parking: Complimentary parking is available at the venue

Limited scholarships are available for applicants experiencing financial hardship.

Reserve Your Place

For filmmakers who want instruction, collaborators, and a finished project—not simply another day of passive presentations—the OC Film Workshop and 48-Hour Film Challenge offers all three in one concentrated event.

Review the official event details or register for the Film Lab 714 workshop and challenge.

Questions may be directed to Admissions@FilmLab714.com or (714) 510-2660.

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