Listen up, all you aspiring content creators out there! The fifth annual Split Second Competition is open for entries.
If you think you're the next George Miller, you might want to jump on this awesome opportunity to test your creative skills and potentially save a life.
This year, the competition is open to all Victorian storytellers aged 18 – 25 and will challenge them to create a script and storyboard for a short film addressing the themes of drowsy driving or vehicle safety.
The winner will receive a cash prize of $5,000 and a $70,000 production budget, and their short film will be screened at Village, HOYTS, Readings and Palace cinemas over a four-week period later this year.
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But don't worry; we don't subscribe to Ricky Bobby's 'If you ain't first, you're last' mantra, as the runner-up will also be awarded a production budget of $30,000.
Both winners will work with prestigious production company Sweetshop to bring their concept to the screen.
The TAC’s Head of Road Safety, Samantha Cockfield, said 20 people aged between 18 and 25 had been killed on the state’s roads this year alone - up from 17 this time last year.
“The Split Second Competition prides itself on giving young Victorians the opportunity to use their creative storytelling skills to directly communicate with peers on important road safety issues," she said.
Over the past five years, more than 70 per cent of driver and passenger fatalities between 18 and 25 have been in vehicles more than ten years old, and 54 per cent of drivers in this age group admit to driving while very tired.
Drowsy driving is estimated to contribute to around 20-25 per cent of serious injuries and fatalities among drivers in Victoria.
Older cars are likely to have fewer safety features and are less likely to help drivers avoid a collision.
The Split Second Competition has received 675 entries since launching in 2018 and has produced four films, helping kick-start the careers of young content creators.
Previous winner Felix Barnett, who’s film To Die For addressed the risks of drink driving, said that winning Split Second competition had been a pivotal launch pad for his career.
"I’ve since gone on to work as an advertising Art Director, writing scripts, editing, dabbling in visual effects, and working with sound studios. It’s safe to say I've got the filmmaking bug," he said.
The winning film will launch at ACMI later this year and continue to be shown across the state.
So, if you think you have what it takes, head here to find out how to enter.
But don't sit on it for too long, as the competition is open for entries until May 4.
To find out more info, click here.
Charisa Bossinakis