Did You Know These Famous Faces Have Made 48 Hour Films? 🤯

One of the coolest things about the 48 Hour Film Project is that anyone can do it. Students, first-time filmmakers, indie legends, total amateurs… and yes, even some seriously famous people. Over the years, a few names you’ll definitely know have stepped into the chaos of making a film in just two days.

Here are some of our favourite stories:

Richard Rankin (Outlander, Rebus) 🏴

Before he was playing Roger Wakefield in Outlander and gearing up for his lead role in the brand-new Rebus series, Glasgow actor Richard Rankin was tearing it up in a 48HFP short. In fact, back in 2011 he starred in Dead Ringer by Carter Ferguson and won Best Actor at the Glasgow 48 Hour Film Project. Proof that even stars of time-traveling period dramas cut their teeth right here at home.

Zara Gladman (comedian, Glasgow West End Mum) 🎤

Glasgow’s own Zara Gladman — comedian, musician, and viral queen of Scottish social media — once jumped headfirst into the 48HFP too. In 2017, she played an unlikely influencer in a Glasgow short film where she helped a retired rock star go viral one last time. It all had to do with putting sliced bread on your head. You had to be there. Long before her hilarious characters and sketches exploded online, she was on a 48 set cracking people up.

Martin Freeman (The Office, Sherlock, The Hobbit) 🕵️‍♂️🐉

Yep, Martin Freeman — that Martin Freeman — has done a 48 Hour Film Project. Long before becoming Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit trilogy, or Dr. Watson in Sherlock, or even Tim in The Office (UK), Freeman got caught up in the thrill of a 48 in London. Imagine running around trying to get shots done while knowing the guy opposite you would one day be hanging out with Benedict Cumberbatch in Baker Street.

J.K. Simmons (Whiplash, Spider-Man, Law & Order) 🥁

And then there’s J.K. Simmons. Yes, the Oscar winner from Whiplash (and forever our favourite J. Jonah Jameson in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy) also once joined a 48 Hour team in the U.S. Imagine trying to hit your deadlines while Simmons is literally yelling “Parker!” in between takes. Absolute legend.

Why We Love This 💜

What these stories show is that the 48 Hour Film Project is for everyone. You don’t need a Hollywood budget, or years of experience, or even a full night’s sleep (trust us). Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, a comedian looking for a laugh, or an Oscar winner, the thrill is the same: make a film in 48 hours, then see it on the big screen.

And who knows — you could be working alongside the next Outlander star, viral comedy genius, or Marvel movie icon.

👉 Want to give it a go? Register now for 48 Hour Film Project Scotland and join the same challenge that Richard Rankin, Zara Gladman, Martin Freeman, and J.K. Simmons all said “yes” to.