Imagine dedicating years to honing your craft, only to face the ultimate test: creating a compelling film in just 48 hours. That’s exactly what Sault Ste. Marie native Evan Johnson and his University of Windsor classmates did—and they crushed it. At the 2025 Mark Boscariol 48-Hour FlickFest, part of the prestigious Windsor International Film Festival (WIFF), their short film Penitence swept an astonishing eight out of 13 awards. But here’s where it gets intriguing: this wasn’t just another feel-good comedy—it was a dark, intense five-minute film that dared to break the mold. And this is the part most people miss: how a group of students, armed with nothing but creativity and a few quirky guidelines, managed to craft a story that resonated so deeply.
Held from October 23 to November 2, WIFF’s FlickFest is no ordinary competition. Founded by the late Mark Boscariol, it challenges filmmakers to create, edit, and submit a film within 48 hours, incorporating specific elements like a character, a prop, and a line of dialogue. For Penitence, the team had to include Lime Ricky, a writer who believes he’s in a movie; a mysterious blender; and the line, ‘Who keeps ordering coffins on my credit card?’ Talk about a creative challenge! Filmed across Windsor from September 19 to 21, the movie follows a pizza delivery driver who encounters bizarre characters and learns a harsh lesson—a far cry from the lighthearted comedies the team had tackled in previous years.
‘We wanted to try something different, something darker,’ Johnson explained. ‘It was our last year, and we wanted to push boundaries.’ And push they did. As director of photography and editor, Johnson’s win for Best Editing felt especially personal, but the accolades didn’t stop there. Penitence also snagged Best Screenplay, Best Performance, Best Use of Dialogue, Best Use of Assigned Prop, Best Use of Character, Viewers' Choice Award, and the coveted Best of FlickFest. ‘It was an overwhelming relief,’ Johnson shared with SooToday. ‘Seeing four years of hard work pay off on the big screen at The Capitol Theatre was surreal.’
But Johnson’s success isn’t new. In 2023, he and his team won Best Cinematography and Best Use of Character at WIFF for their film Number 2. Even as a student at St. Paul Catholic School in 2015, he starred in the locally produced film Heroes of a Different Kind: Rise of The Dark Panther. ‘Film has always been my passion,’ he said. ‘Growing up, we were always watching movies, and that early experience set the tone for my career.’
Now 22, Johnson is set to graduate from the University of Windsor’s concurrent education program in spring 2026 with a degree in communication, media, and film. While he’ll be qualified to teach high school media, his heart remains in filmmaking. ‘I’m open to everything—romance, comedy, sci-fi, you name it,’ he said. ‘I’ll never turn down a chance to shoot, edit, or act in a film.’
But here’s the controversial question: Can a 48-hour film truly rival months of production? Johnson’s success suggests it can, but what do you think? Is Penitence a fluke, or does it prove that creativity thrives under pressure? Watch the film here and let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
