Madrid, NM – For most people, making a film in 48 hours is a challenge in itself.

But Lana Lasater of ARK Film Productions is taking it a step further.

“Everyone says, ‘don’t work with kids,’” said Lasater, who will be directing a 7 minute short for the 48 Hour Film Project in Albuquerque.

So that’s exactly what she’s going to do.

“If you can pull it off – this really good acting with kids – it says a lot about the direction,” Lasater said.

Ark Film Productions, which participated in the contest last year, was one of 32 crews locally and approximately 30,000 worldwide to accept the challenge. Registered teams receive a character, a genre, a prop and a line of dialogue they must incorporate. Teams may organize the crew and cast, arrange for equipment, and secure a location beforehand, but other than that, the entire creative process must occur within 48 hours.

Winners compete locally, nationally, and internationally to be one of ten selected shorts screened at the Cannes Film Festival’s Short Film Corner in 2010.

The Albuquerque project will kick off Friday, July 10, at 6 p.m. at Imbibe, at 3101 Central Ave. NE.

“Last year, we decided to go all out,” said Aaron Kreltszheim, who directed their 2008 entry, Las Vegas, New Mexico 1875, and will be the producer this year.

The film, which won Best Costumes, had 120 person people total; 21 speaking roles, 60 extras and 29 horses. Actors were flown in from Texas and California specifically for the project.

“We broke the world record with how many volunteers [we had],” Kreltszheim said. “Nobody’s ever beaten that.”

As part of the contest rules, no one is allowed to receive pay for their work in the competition. They may only spend money on things like food, travel, equipment and insurance.

“Last year was almost a model. Everything turned out so well last year,” Lasater said. “Anything I do this year is going to be easier.”

She has decided to scale down to a cast of five to six actors, the majority of whom will be children.

Lasater met some of her young stars, who range in age from 8 to 12, on a film she recently produced, called Kids in the Yards. She held a casting call to determine the final group, and is still deciding whether she wants an adult actor in the film.

And since they will only have three to four hours to rehearse before they film, and minimal takes, Lasater is doing everything she can to prepare them. For the last two weeks, she has been meeting with the children for improvisation games, so they can get comfortable with each other.

“I have two kids that are ready – ready to get in there and act,” Lasater said. “Regardless of whatever genre, the plan is to have the kids do a scene, or something similar that transfers the kids back in time.”

There will be two public screenings of July 15 at 6:45 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. at the Kimo Theater at 423 Central Ave. NW in Albuquerque.

For more information about entry information, rules and prizes, visit www.48hourfilm.com.