Stress, high drama and white-knuckled adrenaline characterize the annual 2880 Film Blitz, the third edition of which takes place in Montreal May 27-29. Over the course of one weekend, independent film crews will put themselves through sleepless misery as they compete for prizes in the indie film contest.

2880 equals the number of minutes each team has to write, shoot and edit their films, as organizers spring a topic on them seconds before they begin. Typically, participants shoot their films on three-chip video cameras and edit on Apple Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere or Avid Express. Each team must supply its own equipment.

The 2880 Film Blitz is a fundraising effort for the Quebec chapter of the Documentary Organization of Canada, a national non-profit, volunteer-run organization. The Blitz raises money with ticket sales for the screening, audience raffles, and each team’s registration fee of $100.

Dan Emery, executive director of 2880 Film Blitz, feels the event is valued by filmmakers with a strong desire to have their work viewed by progressive audiences.

‘There is no doubt this is very much needed in Montreal, especially for young filmmakers,’ he says.

The people who signed up for the Blitz in the past have included recreational amateurs, film students, professionals and novices with no experience at all.

According to Emery, the contest is open to any genre, and is not restricted to docs.

The first-place prize is $5,000 worth of film equipment and services from the National Film Board’s Filmmakers Assistance Program. A $2,000 post-production package from Audio Postproduction SPR, SETTE and La Boîte numérique will acknowledge the most technically achieved entry. The Main Film Special Jury Award is $1,000 in equipment and services from Main Film, while the Audience Choice Award is a wrap party thrown by Le Reservoir Restaurant and Bar.

Public screenings for the Blitz films are set for May 29 at the La Tulipe bar in Montreal.

-www.2880.ca