Young Filmmakers Make a Difference to Road Trauma

18 Aug 2011

MEDIA RELEASE: 18 August, 2011

Two young Melbourne filmmakers have been selected winners of the Transport Accident Commission's (TAC) Make a Film, Make a Difference (MAFMAD) competition.

Brighton high-school student Tess Fisher and 24-year-old Tom Campbell from Collingwood were selected ahead of more than 450 entrants who presented film concepts based around the theme "party in the car".

Tess's film concept, titled "Adventure", uses humour and abstract to explore the dangers associated with drink driving and rewards young people who say ‘no' to driving home with people who have been drinking alcohol.

Tom's film, "Room for One More", takes a more serious look at what can happen when young people are distracted in a car and uses ghosts of road trauma victims to help tell his story.

A panel of film industry judges selected the winners, who will now work with two experienced mentors to bring their ideas to life.

TAC Senior Manager Marketing & Road Safety John Thompson said both winners had fresh concepts that would appeal to the younger audience.

"The winners were selected because they have the potential to change the attitudes of their peers," Mr Thompson said.

"The quality of entries this year was outstanding, proving not only that there are talented filmmakers out there, but that young people in this state really want to make a difference to road trauma."

The winners have been awarded a $20,000 production budget to create their films as well as $5000 prize money.

Mr Thompson said the films will be screened on TV, at cinemas and online across the state during the summer and at youth events such as the Falls Festival and the Big Day Out.

MAFMAD has been running for nine years.

 "We can always make TAC ads for young drivers, but there is something powerful about the road safety message coming from young people," Mr Thompson said.

"Both Tom and Tess are to be commended for their ideas and their willingness to tackle an issue that has huge emotional and financial costs for our community year after year.

"We are confident that combined with all of our road safety efforts, these films will make a difference."

To find out more about the competition visit MAFMAD on Facebook or at www.mafmad.com.au 

Media contact: Sarah Henderson on 0429 294 262.