Congratulations to Winter Film Awards 48-Hour Film Challenge Winners! #WFA48

NEW YORK - June 26, 2016 - PRLog -- WINTER FILM AWARDS challenged the local community to create a 4-7 minute short film in a specified genre, tagline and prop in just a single gonzo weekend! Thirty teams of the most creative people in the tri-state area had just 48 sleepless hours to decide what they were going to do, write the screenplay, assemble their props, costumes and actors, then rehearse, shoot, score and edit their film. Students, amateurs, and seasoned industry veterans alike learned the importance of caffeine, team work and time management in successful filmmaking.

The 2016 WFA 48-Hour Film Challenge (http://winterfilmawards.com/wfa48_2016/) began Friday June 2 at 8pm. The prop was GRAND CENTRAL STATION - each team had a one-hour shooting permit at the station, and the tagline was "This is New York and there's no law against being annoying"- William Kunstler

Over $20k in prizes were awarded and winning films will be screened at the 2017 Winter Film Awards Independent Film Festival!

And the winners are ….
BEST PICTURE - Last Samurai 2
Team Cat Allergy (Romance)
Cat Allergy is a NYC based production team specializing in both narrative and documentary productions. Team leader Mao Hanada is from Tokyo and has been working with Director Nori since October 2015. She trained at Kings College in Los Angeles and HB studio in NY last year and is an actress/model who is passionate about film production. Mao can also be seen in the popular YouTube channel LAND TV.

She assembled a team of young professionals led by Director Norihiro Mizukami, a filmmaker and cinematographer who is currently working in both indie film and studio productions such as "Fujin"; Cinematographer Tetsu Wakabayashi, a professional cinematographer whose latest work is "Reserved Destiny"; and Sound Producer Miguel Ghanita, a freelance audio engineer who currently participates in HL group. Last but not least is Yoichiro Kawakami, a classically trained actor who belongs to the group Samurai Sword Soul which performs in events such as the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.

Thank you to AJA Video Systems for providing the amazing $7600 AJA Cion Camera package! Best Picture also wins industry-leading Jungle Software Gorilla 6, a cool Learn to Rope class from Brooklyn Boulders, and wizarding evening at Modern Pinball NYC, plus goodies from BleuStorm Vodka and Snapple!

https://youtu.be/80xOC7TCWg4



FAN FAVORITE - 48Z
Team Deviant Children Productions (https://www.facebook.com/DeviantChildrenProd/) (Zombie)
Deviant Children Productions is a New York based independent film company. Started in 2009, the goal was to produce high concept , original film and video content without the high budget (due in no small part to the fact that the current core team members are broke …) Team DCP has produced a number of short films and one feature film, as well as music videos. The name "Deviant Children" was thought up as way of "…embracing that what makes us different in that it makes us unique. And that each member of Team DCP come from wildly divergent backgrounds and filmmaking styles…". It is this mix that makes Deviant Children Productions adept at producing content of various genres, including horror, action, comedy and drama, often mixing and matching them in attempts to find new storytelling techniques. Visit the Deviant Children Youtube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWRiGOlcy6z5kwJKwcpOBJA) !

Thank you to Canon (https://www.facebook.com/CanonUSA/) and B&H Photo Video Pro Audio for providing the amazing $6500 camera/lens prize package! Fan Favorite also takes home the industry leading Jungle Software Gorilla 6 and goodies from Snapple and BleuStorm Vodka!

https://youtu.be/yEk3fVm1-X8

RUNNER UP - Phage
Team The Queens Squad (Science Fiction)
Team Leader: Frisly Soberanis

The Queens Squad will enjoy industry leading Jungle Software's Chimpanzee, a fun night bowling at Lucky Strike, a day at the races with Pole Position Raceway Jersey City, a pair of tickets to Sleep No More and two months at Sonic Yoga

https://youtu.be/nbUFUVRmM6c

HONORABLE MENTION - Wannabe
Team CouchTV (https://www.youtube.com/c/couchtvnetwork) (Super Hero)
CouchTV is a group of artists who came together to have fun and laughs while expressing their passions as creators. Team leader Jamaal Stone started the company on his couch 4 years ago and since then they have come together for project after project. Each team member brings something unique to the company, and whenever they are all together you best believe you will hear about what they are up to.The most important thing is doing what you love and having fun along the way, if that's your job…you never feel like you're at work.

Our heroes will enjoy an awesome parkour class for 10 from Brooklyn Zoo NY, industry-leading Jungle Software Chimpanzee software, a pair of tickets to Museum of Sex, 2 unlimited months at Sonic Yoga and a team Scavenger Hunt courtesy of Watson Adventures Scavenger Hunts: Greenwich Village.

Check out The MASH Podcast available on Itunes. (https://www.facebook.com/TheMashPodcast)
Youtube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/Couchtvnetwork)

https://youtu.be/YcG-fKLb0K0

About Winter Film Awards
Winter Film Awards (WFA) is a volunteer-run and operated celebration of the diversity of local and international film-making. Our Mission is to recognize excellence in cinema and to promote learning and artistic expression for people at all stages of their artistic careers with a focus on nurturing emerging filmmakers and helping them gain recognition and contacts to break into this difficult industry. We pride ourselves on our diverse collection of Festival selections, allowing our audience to enjoy films they normally wouldn't think to seek out. WFA is a minority- and women-owned registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.  Visit www.WinterFilmAwards.com for more information!