Student's Film Launched to Reduce Youth Road Trauma

28 Feb 2012

MEDIA RELEASE: 28 February, 2012

A Melbourne teenager's short film created to help reduce youth road trauma will be launched by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) today.

The film, titled "Adventure", was made by Brighton student Tess Fisher who developed the script while completing her VCE and produced the film during the summer holidays.

Ms Fisher, 17, is the youngest ever winner of the TAC's Make a Film, Make a Difference (MAFMAD) competition.

MAFMAD, now entering its 10th year, is a TAC competition calling on young Victorians aged 18-25 to submit film ideas to help tackle youth road trauma.

Ms Fisher was selected as one of two MAFMAD winners for 2011 along with Collingwood's Tom Campbell, 25, who created "Room for One More" launched by the Premier, Ted Baillieu last December.

The two films were selected ahead of more than 400 entries from around Victoria.

Adventure uses humour and abstract to explore the dangers associated with distracted driving and rewards young people who say 'no' to getting in a car with an unsafe driver.

 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.

TAC Senior Manager Marketing & Road Safety, John Thompson, said both films were unique and would appeal to the younger audience. 

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

"These films offer an alternative means of getting the message through to younger drivers, because they aren't preachy and they speak to young people in their language."

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

The films are screened on TV, at cinemas, online and at youth events including music festivals and University open days.

Last year, 33 18-25 year olds were killed on Victorian roads.

"We are confident these films, in combination with existing road safety efforts, will make a difference and help save lives," Mr Thompson said.

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.