HILLSBORO, MO – Creativity meets a ticking clock as Jefferson College announces the return of its annual 48-Hour Film Festival, running from March 13–15, 2026. Celebrating its 14th year, the festival invites students, amateur creators, and professional filmmakers to write, shoot, and edit a short film in just one weekend.
The high-stakes competition kicks off Friday, March 13, where teams will receive secret elements that must be included in their films to ensure they are created within the 48-hour window. Completed films must be submitted by Sunday, March 15.
“This festival has become a staple of our creative community,” said event coordinator Bob Sullivan. “It’s about more than just filmmaking; it’s about the adrenaline of the deadline and seeing what incredible stories people can tell when they have no choice but to trust their instincts.”
To honor the best work of the weekend, Jefferson College is offering cash prizes for the top three films:
- 1st Place: $300
- 2nd Place: $200
- 3rd Place: $100
Important Dates
- Kick-Off Meeting: Friday, March 13, 2026
- Films Due: Sunday, March 15, 2026
- Public Screening & Awards: Friday, April 24, 2026 The festival will culminate in a public screening on April 24, where the community is invited to view the finished projects on the big screen and celebrate the winners.
Registration and Information: Interested participants can find more details or ask questions by contacting Bob Sullivan at rsulliv3@jeffco.edu or calling 636-481-3364.
The community can experience a full schedule of fine arts and theater events in the newly-opened Jefferson College Fine Arts Center beginning in March 2026.
A full list of performances and ticket information is available online at jeffco.edu/PACE.
About The Jefferson College Fine Arts Center
For over 60 years, Jefferson College has served as a hub for academic excellence and cultural enrichment. The renovated Fine Arts Center, opening in 2026, connects the College’s theater and academic spaces with a grand lobby, music practice room, art gallery and box office. The Center is home to the Performing Arts & Cultural Enrichment (PACE) series, which brings more than 30 professional and student events to the community annually. The Center’s art gallery hosts a regular schedule of visiting and local artists and the theater provides dedicated space for College performances as well as local community performances, speakers and events.
About Jefferson College Jefferson College, with campuses in Hillsboro and Arnold, Missouri, offers five associate degree programs in four schools of learning with nearly 50 programs of study, as well as Workforce Training, Adult Education, Early College, an Area Technical School for high school students and certification programs in high-demand career fields. Since its first commencement ceremony in 1966, the college has celebrated approximately 30,000 graduates and maintains a 98 percent job placement rate. Learn more about Jefferson College on our website