YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - “Forbidden Flame,” created by Genia Moretti and Tommie Spooner, took first place at the Yuba-Sutter Flash Film Festival after filmmakers had just 48 hours to create their entries.

Eight short films were screened Sept. 26 at the Sutter Theater Center for the Arts in Yuba City as part of the filmmaking challenge organized by Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture.

Moretti and Spooner received the $500 first-place prize for “Forbidden Flame.” Samantha McDougal took second place and $300 for “The Envelope,” while Eric Preston earned third place and $200 for “Tipsy Travelerz.”

Participants in the Yuba-Sutter Flash Film Festival gather at the Sutter Theater Center for the Arts. Eight films were entered in this year's 48-hour filmmaking challenge. Photo courtesy of Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture

The festival challenged participating teams to take a film from an idea to a finished production during a single weekend.

A random drawing assigned each team a theme, an object and a line of dialogue from a well-known film. Filmmakers then had to incorporate those elements into a four- to six-minute film while handling the story, performances, camera work, sound and editing.

This year's festival featured “Tipsy Travelerz” by Preston; “The Flatulent Tangerine” by Cassandra Fifield; “An Adventures Gilld” by Cullen Halloran; “Forbidden Flame” by Moretti; “Zombie Apocalypse” by Graley Bishop; “College Tour” by Nathan Schemel; “The Envelope” by McDougal; and “Feist or Heist” by Tristan Alcisto.

Third-place winner Eric Preston, left, receives recognition from Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture Executive Director David Read during the Yuba-Sutter Flash Film Festival. Preston earned third place for “Tipsy Travelerz.” Photo courtesy of Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture

Judges evaluated the films based on storytelling, camera technique, audio clarity, lighting, editing and the use of music to create mood. Organizers awarded $1,000 in total cash prizes.

The screening gave filmmakers an opportunity to see their work before an audience after completing the two-day production challenge.

The Flash Film Festival is a project of Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture, which provides arts programming, education and services to artists, organizations and residents in Yuba and Sutter counties.

First-place winners Tommie Spooner, left, and Genia Moretti accept recognition for “Forbidden Flame” alongside Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture Executive Director David Read. Photo courtesy of Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture