Check Out Jennifer Bonior’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Bonior.

Hi Jennifer, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I started competing in the Nashville 48-Hour Film Project when I was in film school. It’s how I got my sea legs, found creative partners I still work with today, and ultimately it gave me the confidence I needed to succeed in such a demanding field.

After winning Best Film in Nashville several times in a row, I decided to retire from the competition. I never would have guessed that the opportunity to run the competition would arise but I am so thankful it did. My colleagues and I are now in our 5th year running the competition and consider it an honor to keep this incredible event alive and well in the city we love.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Year 1 was terrifying; we had no idea how much went into hosting the competition but we made it through and were able to set about creating a plan for how to make the competition the best it could be the following year. Year 2 was amazing. We found a way to make it our own and started adding all kinds of new networking events and benefits for our competitors. We were on top of the world!

Then Year 3 came around and so did the pandemic. We were fortunate to be able to host a competition that year but it was a challenge taking all our events online, plus the number of teams able to compete went way down and the rules for conducting a safe set were extremely restrictive to the creative process.

Year 4 we started to get back to normal but ultimately it was a hybrid of online and in-person events for our competitors. It was a step in the right direction, but nothing like it used to be. Now we are in Year 5 and are trying to rebuild and remind everyone about the community that can be built by competing and supporting the 48HFP.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a filmmaker by trade and so are all the others who help me put on the 48HFP each year. We all have our specialties within the field but mine is writing/directing/producing. By day I work for a production company in Nashville called Fivestone Studios.

By night I create spooky strange art with my all-female horror film collective known as Daisy Dukes Productions. And with the rest of my time, I produce the Nashville 48-Hour Film Project. Film is who I am and I am dedicated to keeping it Nashville.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
It’s just 2 days, don’t overthink it! In 2 days you will either have an incredible film or you’ll have learned an important lesson that you can put to use on the next project. It’s an amazing experience that truly shaped me into the filmmaker I am today. I cannot recommend it enough to those just starting in the field.

Pricing:

• The 2022 Competition has closed but you can support this year’s filmmakers by attending the Screenings and Awards.
• 2022 Nashville 48HFP Screening tickets are $14/each and will be held at the Regal Opry Mills theater:
  9/6 @ 6pm & 8:30pm
  Groups A & B
  9/7 @ 6pm & 8:30pm
  Groups C & D
• Purchase Tickets: Bit.Ly/48hfpscreenings
• 2022 Nashville 48HFP Award Show tickets are $18/each and will be held at the Belcourt Theater. Tickets go on sale 9/2.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://48hourfilm.com/nashville
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nashville48hfp
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nashville48HFP

Image Credits
Danielle Shields Photography – https://www.danielleshieldsphotography.com/