Film Lab Announces Theme Of The 2026 72 Hour Shootout: "Erasure Protocol"

MANHATTAN, N.Y. - June 5, 2026 - PRLog -- The Film Lab has officially announced the theme of its 2026 global 72 Hour Shootout filmmaking competition: ERASURE PROTOCOL.

This year's theme challenges filmmakers to explore questions of memory, identity, history, power, technology, and the stories society chooses to amplify—or erase. Teams now have just 72 hours to write, shoot, edit, and deliver an original short film inspired by the provocative theme.

The annual competition has brought together emerging and established filmmakers from around the world for over two decades. This year's participants represent communities stretching from New York City to Los Angeles and beyond, including teams from Ireland, Taiwan, Italy, and other international locations.

The Film Lab's 72 Hour Shootout empowers underrepresented voices through the art of storytelling, providing filmmakers with opportunities for mentorship, networking, exhibition, and industry recognition. The competition challenges participants to transform a common theme into compelling cinematic stories under an intense three-day deadline.

The winners of the 2026 72 Hour Shootout will be announced in August, and the top films will premiere in New York City before industry professionals, filmmakers, and audiences.  Judges include Marci Phillips (ABC/Disney), Jandiz Estrada Cardoso (Sundance) and Daniel Sakaya (CrossingsTV).

"We can't wait to see how filmmakers from around the globe interpret ERASURE PROTOCOL," said Jennifer Betit Yen, actor and President of the Film Lab. "The most exciting part of the Shootout is watching artists take a single idea and interpret it in very different ways, creating stories that challenge, entertain, and inspire."

About Film Lab

The Film Lab is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in entertainment through education, outreach, mentorship, and production. Its flagship 72 Hour Shootout filmmaking competition has become a global platform for emerging filmmakers seeking to push the boundaries of storytelling while building meaningful industry connections.

For more information, visit www.film-lab.org and follow @FilmLabInc on social media.