AGBO’s No Sleep ‘til Film Fest competition returns for 2025, challenging filmmakers to craft a three-minute film in only 48 hours, based on a surprise creative prompt.
The submissions are judged by a panel from AGBO’s Creative Team, which this year includes Hollywood stars Simu Liu and Letitia Wright as honorary judges alongside AGBO co-founders Anthony and Joe Russo and other industry experts.
The creative prompt will be released by AGBO on Friday 26 September at 5pm PT. Filmmakers then have 48 hours–until Sunday 28 September at 5pm PT–to write, shoot, edit, and submit their short films through FilmFreeway.
Submissions are open worldwide and there is no entry free, and first-, second- and third-place winners will receive a filmmaking prize package with resources and “best-in-class” equipment.
All three winners will join the AGBO Storytellers Collective, an alumni network of filmmakers from AGBO’s fellowships and programmes, where they will receive ongoing mentorship, guidance, and networking opportunities after the competition ends.
Current members of the AGBO Storytellers Collective will also select the winner of the AGBO Storytellers Collective Award, who will be admitted into the alumni network.
The top 15 short films–three winners, the Storytellers Collective Award winner, and 11 honourable mentions–will premiere on AGBO’s social media platforms.
The competition “reflects AGBO’s mission to champion emerging storytellers while connecting diverse voices and audiences across the globe”, the organisation has said.
Take a look at highlights from last year’s entrants below.
