SATO48

SATO48
LocationSpringfield, Missouri, United States
Founded2006[1]
Founded byJeff Clinkenbeard; Kyaw Tha Hla[2]
Websitewww.sato48.com

SATO48 (short for Springfield And The Ozarks 48-Hour Film Challenge) is an annual nonprofit, 48-hour filmmaking competition based in Springfield, Missouri. Teams receive a surprise “Inspiration Package” and then have 48 hours to write, shoot, and edit a short film for public screenings and juried recognition. The event culminates in a red-carpet Recognition & Awards Ceremony at the historic Gillioz Theatre.[3][2]

History

SATO48 was created by Jeff Clinkenbeard and Kyaw Tha Hla in 2006, after participating in a similar 48-hour event in Albany, New York. With community support and seed funding, the pair launched a regional competition that has since become a Springfield tradition.[1][2] Local coverage has referred to SATO48’s awards night as the “Oscars of the Ozarks.”[2]

Mission and programs

The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) and states a mission to nurture filmmaking talent in the Ozarks through its flagship 48-hour challenge and related programs (including FiveFest, public screenings, and development opportunities).[4]

Venues

As of 2025, SATO48 premiere screenings are held at Moxie Cinema and at the College Station Theaters in downtown Springfield, with the Recognition & Awards Ceremony at the Gillioz Theatre.[5] The Moxie lists dedicated SATO48 screening blocks on its schedule,[6] and has hosted SATO48 programming in prior years as well.[7]

2025 timeline

The 20th-anniversary 2025 cycle included a late-May screening run at the Moxie and College Station, followed by the awards ceremony at the Gillioz Theatre on 31 May 2025 (doors 5:00 p.m., show 6:00 p.m.).[5][8] The Moxie’s listing advertised multiple nightly blocks for SATO48 (2025).[6]

Recognition and awards

The event combines audience balloting and international judging to recognize achievements across categories at the Gillioz Theatre.[3] Local reporting highlights the competition’s scale and community impact, with dozens of teams participating annually.[2]

Notable participants and judges

  • Dana Powell, a Missouri native best known for Modern Family, has been involved with SATO48 as an international judge and workshop leader, and received the Gillioz Center for Arts & Entertainment Award for Lead Performance at the 2025 ceremony (for Robo).[9][10]

References

  1. 1 2 Smith, Grace (13 August 2024). "SATO 48 – A Springfield Tradition". Missouri Film Office. Archived from the original on 19 May 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Randles, Carly (2 June 2023). "SATO48's very own 'Oscars of the Ozarks' is here". Arts. Springfield Daily Citizen. Springfield, Missouri. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Challenge Guidelines". SATO48.com. Archived from the original on 6 August 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  4. ↑ "SATO 48". Events. Springfield Daily Citizen. Springfield, Missouri. 26 May 2025. Archived from the original on 27 August 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Dates & Venues (2025)". SATO48.com. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
  6. 1 2 "SATO48 (2025)". Films. Springfield, Missouri: Moxie Cinema. 2025. Archived from the original on 19 June 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  7. ↑ "SATO48 (2024)". Films. Moxie Cinema. 2024. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  8. ↑ "SATO48-2025 Recognition and Award Ceremony". HappeningNext. 2025. Archived from the original on 27 August 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  9. ↑ "Audition Workshop – Dana Powell & Gracie Simmonds". TicketTailor. 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  10. ↑ "T&D alumna premieres on 'Modern Family' tonight". University Blogs (Blog). Missouri State University. 9 October 2013. Archived from the original on 27 August 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.

Further reading

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