Film Challenge Guidelines
Official guidelines for the SATO48 Film Challenge. Source: https://www.sato48.com/film-challenge-guidelines
These are stable year-to-year with minor updates. Year-specific details (dates, IP elements) are in each year’s folder.
Registration
- Fee: $35 (non-refundable) — includes a free FiveFest submission
- Payment: Credit/debit card via Festival Manager
Team Requirements
- Open to everyone — amateurs, hobbyists, and professionals
- All participation must be voluntary (no paid members)
- At least one team member must attend Kickoff in person
- Virtual attendance is allowed if the team owner lives 50+ miles (80 km) from the Kickoff location
- Participants under 18 require parental/guardian consent
- “Team member” = anyone who contributes in any way
Pre-Kickoff Preparation (Allowed)
The following may be done before the 48-hour clock starts:
- Organize crew and cast
- Scout and secure locations
- Source music and assemble equipment
- Arrange food, transportation, and logistics
No filming allowed until Kickoff.
Inspiration Package
- Revealed at the Kickoff simultaneously to all teams
- All IP elements must be incorporated into the film
- Films missing any IP element will not be screened, regardless of submission timing
See each year’s IP doc for the specific requirements:
Film Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 5 minutes or less (00:05:00:00 by timecode) |
| Characters | At least 2 principal characters (voiceovers/dual roles allowed) |
| Production window | Entirely within the 48-hour period |
| IP elements | All must be included |
| Branding | Must include “SATO48-[year]” in all screenings/exhibitions |
Required Credits
Opening Event Credit (OEC)
Must appear at the start of the film:
[Team Name]
[SUBMISSION DATE]
[Film Title]
Closing Event Credit (CEC)
- Pre-made video provided on the SATO48.com homepage and emailed to the Team Owner
- Cannot be edited
- Must be the final moments of the film
Equipment
- Any video, film, or still cameras and sound equipment are allowed
- Computer-generated material is allowed only if created during the 48-hour window
Prohibited Actions
| Category | Restriction |
|---|---|
| Footage | No pre-Kickoff shooting; no stock footage or pre-existing material |
| Copyright | No unlicensed logos, music, signage, or brand names |
| Participation | No paid team members |
| Online posting | No posting the film online before the embargo date (July 1 in 2026) |
| Trailers | Must be uploaded to Festival Manager before any public sharing |
Awards Eligibility
Song / Original Score Award
- All music must be documented in Festival Manager → Music Releases
- Original music requires:
- A Rights Request (filmmaker → musician)
- A Musician’s Agreement uploaded to Festival Manager
- Royalty-free music is ineligible for the Song/Score Award
Performance Awards (Lead & Supporting)
- Nominated performers must be human actors with original performances
- Mirrors the music rule: direct engagement/collaboration required — no AI-generated or pre-existing performances
Poster Requirements
- Required — must be submitted within the 48-hour window
- Format: JPEG or PNG
- Resolution: 1920×1080 pixels
- Must include film title and team name
Optional Trailer
- Max length: 1 minute
- Must be uploaded to Festival Manager before any public posting
Submission & Eligibility
| Scenario | Screened? | Awards Eligible? |
|---|---|---|
| On-time + meets all requirements | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Late + meets all requirements | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Missing IP elements (any timing) | ❌ No | ❌ No |
- No grace period for late submissions
- Technical violations or safety guideline breaches = disqualification
- All qualifying films (on-time or late) are considered for SATO48 The TV Show