NEW YORK - s4story -- Film Lab, the renowned nonprofit supporting underrepresented filmmakers, writers, and actors, is thrilled to announce that registration for the 2026 72 Hour Shootout filmmaking competition is officially open! Creatives from around the globe are invited to form teams and craft a short film in just 72 hours.

The 72 Hour Shootout is a high-energy filmmaking competition designed to challenge participants' creativity, collaboration, and storytelling skills under tight deadlines. Registered teams will receive a theme at the start of the competition, then have three days to write, shoot, and edit a finished short film.  Judges and sponsors of 2026 include Marci Phillips, VP of Talent & Casting for Disney Entertainment Television, Jandiz Estrada Cardoso, Director of the Sundance Institute Episodic Program, Daniel Sakaya, President of CrossingsTV, Angela Chan of the Cre8sian Project, Joe Tex of Batsu!, and more to be announced.  Entries will be evaluated on originality, storytelling, production quality, and overall impact.  Teams are encouraged to showcase diversity of talent and background, with at least one key cast member and one key crew member being of Asian descent.

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Top films will receive awards and recognition in multiple categories, including Best Director, Best Writing and Outstanding Female Content Creator, giving underrepresented and diverse filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their work to industry leaders and audiences worldwide.

Film Lab also provides free educational resources, workshops, and seminars to help participants prepare for the Shootout. These resources, available on YouTube.com/@filmlabinc (https://www.youtube.com/@filmlabinc), cover everything from scripting tips to production hacks and editing strategies.

Registration is now open at: https://form.jotform.com/240578048983166

"We're excited to welcome filmmakers from all backgrounds to take on the challenge," said Jennifer Betit Yen, President of Film Lab. "The 72 Hour Shootout is a celebration of diversity, inclusion, creativity, collaboration, and the bold storytelling voices that are needed now, perhaps more than ever."

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For updates, follow Film Lab on social media @FilmLabInc using #72HrSO #FilmLab #FilmLabInc.

About Film Lab:
Film Lab is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting underrepresented filmmakers, promoting diversity in the arts, and providing resources, mentorship, and platforms for emerging talent. Its flagship competition, the 72 Hour Shootout, ongoing for over 20 years, has become a global event for creatives seeking to push the boundaries of storytelling under pressure.