DVMISSION 48 Hour Film Challenge celebrated its 21st edition with 33 teams competing to create original 2-minute short film across the challenge weekend.
26 teams crossed the finish line and their films were shown to a rapt audience at a screening & awards event which celebrated 100 years of Portsmouth City with a suitably naughty night of nautical fun, in keeping with this year’s obstructions ‘PIRATES! In an adventure with…’
DVMISSION: ORIGINS, a short film created by City Eye, was screened at the event, featuring Executive Director Susan Beckett and Head of Production Aaron West. It revealed the true origins of DVMISSION and included appearances from DVMISSION creators Jinx Prowse and Roy Hanney.
The audience learned that DVMISSION is actually a ritual offering to the Goddess Medea and a ‘fight for the imagination’ against the dark forces of open AI.
Every team from this year’s competition received an exclusive DVMISSION 2026 CHALLENGE COIN as part of an ongoing participation collectible, exclusive to each event going forward.
This year’s coin matched the Pirate theme with an iconic skull and cross-bones.
Those of you interested in what the next theme will be, will have to wait until March 2027.
The Pompey Oscars for 2026 were:
Best Fancy Dress
- Winner: James Waterfield
The Social Media Award!
- Winner: Fifth Wall Productions for their film ‘Pirates! In an adventure with Cowboys’
- Nominations: Tuesday Club Studio & Lost Cut
The Audience Raved About it! (premier night audience vote)
- Winner: Sleepy Bandits for their film ‘Pirates! In an adventure with Mormons’
Watch Out for the Youth (Filmmakers)
- Winner: Lost Cut for their film ‘Pirates! In an adventure with Dementia’
- Nominations: House of Cards, Fifth Wall Productions & Worcester Mini Massive
It’s the way you said it (best use of the line of dialogue)
- Winner: Continuity Error UK with their film ‘Pirates! In an adventure Without a Boat’
- Nominations: House of Cards, Sleepy Bandits & Worcester Massive
Most Inspired Prop
- Winner: Fight Club Sandwich with their film ‘Pirates! In an adventure with the Pompey 100!’
- Nominations: Worcester Massive, Amazing Graces & Tater Tots
Most Astonishing Special Effect
- Winner: Worcester Mini Massive with their film ‘Pirates! In an adventure with Booty’
- Nominations: Venta Cinèmatics, Sleepy Bandits & Fifth Wall Productions
Most Cinematic Moment
- Winner: Mystic Reels for their film ‘Pirates! In an adventure with Jacquotte
- Nominations: Tuesday Club Studios, MPAS, Big Screen
Best Sound Design
- Winner: Lobstercopter Films with their film ‘Pirates! In an adventure with Middle Management’
- Nominations: Venta Cinèmatics, What Are The Hours? & Amazing Graces
Best Editing
- Winner: Venta Cinèmatics with their film ‘Pirates! In an adventure with the Brothers’ Tides’
- Nominations: What Are The Hours?, MPAS & FFYN, JOE & WILL
Best Story
- Winner: Truth at 88MPH for their film ‘Pirates! In an adventure with a Midlife Rebrand’
- Nominations: Tuesday Club Studio, Lost Cut & Lobstercopter Films
Best Actor
- Winner: What Are The Hours? For their film ‘Pirates! In an adventure with Hacking’
- Nominations: Lobstercopter Films, MPAS & Sleepy Bandits
Best Actress
- Winner: House of Cards for their film ‘Pirates! In an adventure with Pirates?’
- Nominations: Worcester Massive, Amazing Graces & High Shutter Studios
Best Film (non-professional)
- Winner: Worcester Massive
- Nominations: Fifth Wall Productions, Continuity Error UK & House of Cards
Best Film (professional)
- Winner: Lobstercopter Films
- Nominations: Venta Cinèmatics, Amazing Graces & Truth at 88MPH
Spirit of DVMISSION (judges special award)
- Winner: Amazing Graces
The Pompey Oscars, this year referred to as the ‘sixteen pieces of eight’ were as ever, hand made by James Waterfield of Lawn of the Dead.
These are such unique awards, each a work of art in its own right, that are really cherished by the filmmakers.
All of this year’s films are available to watch on the DVMISSION YouTube channel.
WINNING FILMS PLAYLIST
ALL FILMS PLAYLIST
DVMISSION26 was supported by Portsmouth City Council, Camera Crate, Creative Network South, The Wedgewood Rooms, Hampshire & Solent Film Office and Portsmouth Creates.
