Advice straight from the sleepless trenches

So you’re thinking about No Sleep ‘til Film Fest?
Welcome to the madness. Two days. One film. Zero room for doubt. Just pure creative chaos.

It's like film school, improv night, and creative boot camp all rolled into one, but fun. And trust us, it is fun.

Just ask Tommy Heffernan, a repeat NSTFF alum, member of the AGBO Storytellers Collective, and full-time filmmaking fiend! He’s submitted every year, survived every genre prompt, and built a mini legacy inside this micro-cinematic chaos. “Honestly,” he laughs, “these challenges kind of became my film school. It pushed me in every direction—writing, shooting, editing, producing—because in 48 hours, you wear every hat.”

💡 Why NSTFF Hits Different

NSTFF is a global filmmaking sprint where speed, smarts, and story beat gear every time. You’ve got 48 hours, a mystery prompt, and whatever tools are in reach. What matters is what you do with them.

Tommy first heard about it via a random Facebook post. “This was when local 48-hour comps were still paused post-COVID,” he recalls. “NSTFF showed up out of nowhere with two weeks' notice and we were like—why not? Let’s jump in.”

That first entry? A small cast, tiny crew, and a huge learning curve. “But the time pressure forces you into creative decisions you’d never make otherwise. That’s where the magic comes from.” says Tommy.

🔥 Tips from the Sleepless Legend Himself

Whether this is your first NSTFF or your fifth, Tommy’s got you covered:

1. Play to your strengths—and your stuff.
“If you have a weird prop, or a creepy basement, or a funny friend - use them. Some of our best ideas came from just looking at what we had access to.”

2. One vision, all in.
“You only get three minutes, so I’d pick one thing, an emotion, a concept, a vibe, that you can nail. Trying to juggle too many ideas can lead to chaos.”

3. Time is your frenemy.
Start with a group brainstorm. Then assign one writer to knock out the script while the rest of the team preps. “And please,” he adds, “try not to shoot past midnight. Protect your team’s energy. If they’re suffering then so will the film.”

4. Edit smart, not just fast.
“If you can have someone editing while you’re shooting? Game-changer.” Tommy usually spends Saturday night and all of Sunday cutting until the final deadline, but tag-teaming that job can be a major power move.

5. Embrace the curveballs.
In 2022, his team had access to an abandoned house and exactly two actors. The result? A genre-bending horror-rom-com that never would’ve existed outside those limitations. “The constraints always fuel our creativity,” he says. “Lean into what you have instead of stressing over what you imagined having.”

❤️ The Highs, The Lows, The No-Sleep Glow

Tommy’s standout NSTFF memory? Scoring an honorable mention from a panel of industry pros. “It was the kind of validation that keeps you going when you’re still far from the center of the industry. That recognition meant the world.”

Oh, and there was the time they actually wrapped early. Don’t count on it, but hey, dreams do come true.

Watch all of Tommy’s NSTFF submissions: 

• Body Buddies (2024) 
  
  • Prompt: Unlikely Alliance 
  • Storytellers Collective Award 
• Turbo Sean (2023) 
  
  • Prompt: Manipulate Time 
  • Honorable Mention
• Guys Be Like (2022) 
  
  • Prompt: Mix 3 Genres 
  • Honorable Mention
• The Assessment (2021) 
  
  • Prompt: Shifting Reality 
  • Honorable Mention

🧠 One Last Word of Wisdom

You don’t need a perfect plan. You need a camera, a team who’s down to ride, and a willingness to fail spectacularly if that’s where the story takes you. “Just make something that feels like only you could’ve made it,” Tommy says. “That’s usually what sticks.”

So if you’re a first-time No Sleeper wondering if you should go for it? Here’s your answer:

You absolutely should.
Just don’t plan on sleeping much.

🎬 Got a prompt idea kicking around?
Tommy pitched Fish Out of Water: a setup where your protagonist is totally out of their element. Comedy, drama, or total genre chaos! It’s a formula that forces character growth and brings out the weird in the best way.

So what about you?
What kind of prompt would you throw into the NSTFF mix? 

Tag us on IG: @AGBOFilms 

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