Budding filmmaker takes out the top prize for short film that could save lives.

An aspiring filmmaker gets her big break after winning the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) Split Second Film Competition.

Twenty two year old Sati Öcal’s short film is on top of the world right now, with her work premiering on the big screen at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) and Val Morgan cinemas.

Öcal won the Split Second Film Competition, a government-funded initiative encouraging safe driving among young Victorians.

With 18-25 year olds being some of the most at-risk drivers on Victorian roads, the competition invited budding filmmakers to raise awareness of road safety, opening the doors for young storytellers trying to set foot in the industry.

Öcal was chosen from more than one hundred applicants.

In her inspiring short film, Öcal compares a car’s safety features to the alluring gadgets of a spy car with a surprising twist.

The competition winner said her love of stories first sparked her interest in filmmaking.

She began making short movies with her siblings on her mum’s Nokia phone as a child.

I mean, we all have to start somewhere.

“I have vivid memories of making silly short movies with my sisters on my mum’s Nokia when I was little, and the enjoyment I got from coming up with all sorts of crazy plot lines while playing with my Barbies and Legos. These moments were pure bliss that I never want to let go of,” she said.

“I’m honoured to be able to use art to encourage people my age to take road safety more seriously. I feel so fulfilled studying screenwriting and am very proud to have my work featured on this scale,” she continued.

The screenwriting student won a generous cash prize of $5,000 and a $70,000 production budget, with her short film being screened at Val Morgan cinemas across Victoria.

The Split Second Film Competition also celebrates the runner-up, Amon Mether, whose film Get Checked will make its way across the TAC’s social media channels.

TAC Chief Executive Officer Tracey Slatter said 51 people aged between 18 and 25 had been killed on Victoria's roads so far this year, up from 39 last year (as of 30 December 2023).

She said that the Split Second Film Competition fosters a culture helping to promote a safer future on the roads.

Slatter added that films like Gadgets and Get Checked are ‘powerful tools’ in shaping the public conversation around the serious issue.

“This year, Split Second focused on raising awareness of the importance of vehicle safety among young drivers. I encourage anyone purchasing a car to visit howsafeisyourcar.com.au for essential safety information,” she added.