Romance, dystopian sci-fi and grocery store action – it’s all part of this year’s Crazy8s short film showcase!

Budding Vancouver filmmakers are showcased at the Crazy8s Gala and Afterparty on Saturday, Feb. 27.

The annual film challenge gives filmmakers $1000 and eight days to start and finish a short film. This year’s entries include a recreation of the early 1900s for a film shot in Shaughnessy (Vancouver) and Langley, an action movie parody set in a grocery store, and a horror comedy featuring a lovelorn female serial killer.

The six winning teams were selected from a pool of entrants and announced Jan. 12. Beginning Friday, Feb. 12, the teams had eight days – three for production and five for post-production – for a delivery date of Feb. 19. Each group was provided with $1,000 cash and assistance from industry sponsors, including workshops in directing and cinematography and help with casting, location scouting, rehearsals and more.

The results are A Family of Ghosts (Shannon Kohli), Grocery Store Action Movie (Matthew Campbell) and I Love You So Much It’s Killing Them (Joel Ashton McCarthy).

Other films include the dystopian science fiction of Iteration 1, the bisexual romantic comedy Meet Cute, and attempted baby-making in Trying.

Ellie Harvie (The New Addams Family, The Cabin in the Woods) hosts the Gala Screening, which starts at 7 p.m. at the Centre (777 Homer Street). The AfterParty at Science World (1455 Quebec St.) runs from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and includes a red carpet photo entrance, performances by Little India, Vova Bedzvin & Imi Oto, the Crazy Dancers, as well as DJ sets by DJ Dubba G & DJ Ahtz, DJ Emilita and JD K-Tel.

Tickets are $35.00 advance and $40.00 at the door. More info at crazy8s.film.