Call for young film makers to make a difference

28 Apr 2004

MEDIA RELEASE: 28 April 2004

TAC Minister John Lenders today called on young filmmakers to enter a film competition to raise awareness about the dangerous risks young people take on the road.

Mr Lenders said the competition, Make a Film, Make a Difference, required entrants to submit original concepts to win one of two $20,000 grants to make a short-film highlighting the dangers.

He said the competition was open to people aged 25 years and under and was part of the TAC’s drive to reduce the incidence of road trauma among young people.

“Last year, 78 drivers and passengers aged 16 to 25 died on Victorian roads – so far this year there have been 28 deaths in the same age group,” Mr Lenders said.

“This is despite the fact that young people aged 18 to 25 years, represent only 14 per cent of licensed drivers.

“Young drivers are more at risk because they lack driving experience and tend to take deliberate risks while driving – we need to change that culture of risk.

“Make a Film, Make a Difference, aims to do this, by giving young people an opportunity to talk to each other directly about the culture inside and outside cars.

“Many of the young entrants draw inspiration from situations they have experienced personally and this gives enormous credibility to the overall message.”

Mr Lenders said the competition’s theme was ‘your mate’s life is in your hands’. “What we have consistently found through research involving young people is that the threat of individual consequences is not always enough of a deterrent,” he said. 

“Young people often feel immortal and the thought of killing or injuring themselves is not enough to stop them speeding or taking other overt risks.

“However, the thought of injuring one of their mates is an entirely different scenario and that’s an area we want to explore further.”

Mr Lenders said the competition had gained momentum since it was first held in 2003. Last year there were 170 entries, compared to 95 in 2003.

The two winners will be given a $20,000 production budget to make their film, access to a mentor or producer and a $5,000 grant to assist with future filmmaking. It is planned that their films would be screened in Victorian cinemas at the end of the year. The competition opens today. Details including a brief are available here. The closing date for entries is 17 June.