TAC and TABOO launch 5th Annual ‘Split Second’ Competition with production partner Sweetshop

Can your creativity save a life? The Victorian Transport Accident Commission’s (TAC) annual ‘Split Second’ Competition has returned for its biggest year yet, with entries now open for young Victorian storytellers who want to improve road safety for their peers.

This year, the competition is open to all content creators aged 18 – 25, with entrants invited to submit a script and storyboard for a short film focussing on either Driver Fatigue or Vehicle Safety.

The winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize and a $70,000 production budget, and the runner up will be awarded a production budget of $30,000 – both will work with creative agency TABOO and production partner Sweetshop to bring their concept to life.

TAC head of road safety, Samantha Cockfield said 16 people aged between 18 and 25 have been killed on the state’s roads, up from 12 at this time in 2022 and almost double the 5-year average: “The Split Second competition prides itself on giving young Victorians the opportunity to use their story and film making skills to directly communicate with peers on important road safety issues.

“Reducing the prevalence of drowsy driving, and promoting vehicle safety, are critical in improving road safety outcomes for young Victorians, and by engaging young creatives in the process we’re ensuring that messages are delivered in a relatable way.”

Over the last five years, more than 70% of driver and passenger fatalities aged between 18 and 25 have been in vehicles more than ten years old, and 54% of drivers in this age group admit to driving while very tired.

Drowsy driving is estimated to contribute to around 20-25% of serious injuries and fatalities among drivers in Victoria, while 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 film concepts since launching in 2018 and has produced four films, helping kick-start the careers of their creators while engaging Victorians with important road safety messages.

2021 winner Felix Barnett, who’s film ‘To Die For‘ addressed the risks of drink driving says: “Winning the Split Second competition has been invaluable in giving me a greater awareness of all the processes and talented individuals involved in actually making a film.

“Not only did I get to work with some of the very best in the industry, I had such a great response from the screening of ‘To Die For’ — many old high school friends reached out to tell me how powerful they thought it was. 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 film-making bug.”

The winning film will launch at ACMI later this year and will continue to be aired in cinemas across the state between October and November 2023, with the runner up film being promoted via social media.

So, if you’re a social media whiz, advertising or marketing professional, or a creative who wants to make content that has impact, visit www.splitsecond.au for more information on the competition and how to enter.

The competition is now open for entries until May 4.

View previous Split Second Films:

2021 ‘To Die For’ by Felix Barnett

2020 ‘A Trial Before The King’ by Alex Lowe

2019 ‘The Afterlife Bar’ by Alyssa De Leo

2018 ‘Gates of Heaven’ by Callum Borthwick