Festivals
MacWood Film Arts is dedicated to growing the film industry in the Peace Region through film festivals, education, and on-set opportunities. We aim to showcase local talent, attract industry professionals, and create a thriving filmmaking community.
Our annual festivals, including the MacWood 48 Hour Film Fest and MacWood Horror Fest, give filmmakers a platform to compete, collaborate, and premiere their work. Through workshops and hands-on training, we’re building the foundation for a sustainable film industry right here in the North.
Join us and be part of the movement.
The Annual MacWood 48 Hour Film Fest
Dates
• Kickoff: Friday, June 6, 2025 – 6:00 PM (MST)
• Deadline: Sunday, June 8, 2025 – 9:00 PM (MST)
• Screening Night: Saturday, June 20, 2025
The clock is ticking! In just 48 hours, filmmakers must write, shoot, and edit a short film from scratch. With a randomized genre and challenge elements, creativity and speed are key.
Can you beat the deadline and deliver a cinematic masterpiece?
Rules and Guidelines
• Films must be created within 48 hours (no pre-shot footage).
• Teams must include assigned elements (genre, line, prop, action).
• Films must be submitted in MP4/MOV format (1080p minimum).
• All content must be family-friendly (no extreme violence, NSFW content).
The MacWood 48 Hour Film Fest is a high-intensity filmmaking challenge where teams have just 48 hours to create an original short film from scratch. The competition kicks off with a Google Meets meeting on Friday, June 6, 2025, at 6:00 PM (MST), where all registered teams must attend. During this meeting, each team will be assigned a randomized genre, along with a required prop, line of dialogue, and action that must be incorporated into their film. Once the meeting concludes, teams can begin writing, shooting, and editing their projects, with the clock officially starting at 7:00 PM.
All films must be between 3 to 7 minutes in length, including credits, and must be completed by 6:00 PM (MST) on Sunday, June 8, 2025. No pre-written scripts, pre-recorded footage, or pre-made edits are allowed—everything must be created within the 48-hour timeframe. Additionally, all music and sound effects must be original or royalty-free. Submissions must be in MP4 or MOV format, with a minimum resolution of 1080p, and must be uploaded via Google Drive before the deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted.
The completed films will be screened on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at a venue to be announced. Awards will be given in multiple categories, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Performance, Best Cinematography, and Audience Choice Award. Films that fail to include the assigned genre, prop, line, or action, or that contain pre-recorded footage, inappropriate content, or late submissions, will be disqualified.
With the clock ticking from the moment the challenge begins, only the most creative, resourceful, and determined filmmakers will rise to the occasion. Think you’ve got what it takes? Be ready when the countdown begins!
Screening Location
Kiwanis Performing Arts Centre
10401 10 St, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 3T8
The MacWood 48 Hour Film Fest will be screened at KPAC (Kiwanis Performing Arts Centre), located in the Calvin Kruk Centre for the Arts in Dawson Creek. This state-of-the-art venue offers a professional theater experience with a large screen, high-quality projection, and surround sound—ensuring every film looks and sounds its best. With comfortable seating and a welcoming atmosphere, KPAC is the perfect place to celebrate local filmmaking and showcase the best creative talent in the Peace Region.
The Annual MacWood Horror Fest
Dates
Submission Deadline: Friday, October 17, 2025
Screening & Awards
Friday, October 31, 2025 (Halloween Night)
Get ready for chills and thrills—MacWood Horror Fest is back, and this year we’re celebrating the week before Halloween for an early dose of terror! Filmmakers from across the Peace Region will showcase their original horror short films, with the best entries premiering on the big screen.
Rules and Guidelines
• Films must be original horror shorts (any subgenre).
• Content must be appropriate for general audiences (no extreme gore, NSFW, or hate speech).
• Films must include original or royalty-free music and sound.
• No pre-existing films—all submissions must be created specifically for the festival.
• Format: MP4 or MOV, 1080p minimum.
• Submissions must be sent via Google Drive before the deadline.
The MacWood Horror Fest is a celebration of spine-chilling storytelling, where filmmakers showcase their original horror short films for an October 24th Premiere. All submitted films will compete for awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Performance, Best Cinematography, and Audience Choice.
Films must be up to 10 minutes in length, including credits, and must be submitted by 6:00 PM (MST) on Friday, October 17, 2025. All content must be original—no pre-existing films or pre-shot footage—and all music and sound must be original or royalty-free. Submissions must be in MP4 or MOV format, with a minimum resolution of 1080p, and uploaded via Google Drive before the deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Screening Location
Kiwanis Performing Arts Centre
10401 10 St, Dawson Creek, BC V1G 3T8
Qualifying films will premiere on Friday, October 24, 2025, at KPAC in the Calvin Kruk Centre for the Arts, making this year’s Horror Fest a true Halloween event. If you have a terrifying story to tell, this is your chance to bring it to life on the big screen.
Do you dare to enter?