TABOO launches TAC Split Second Film Competition for fourth year running; deadline Sun 15 August

The Andrews Labor Government is calling on the state’s young creative minds to pitch a short film concept that promotes road safety and helps save lives.

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and creative agency TABOO’s fourth annual Split Second Film Competition opened today, offering aspiring filmmakers the chance to produce a 45-second film and have it shown on the silver screen.

The TAC has partnered with Village Cinemas to offer a $70,000 production budget to all Victorians aged 18-25 to create a film that addresses low-level speeding or drink driving, which remain significant causes of injuries and deaths on our roads.

This year’s winner will work with prestigious production company Sweetshop to bring their film concept to life and receive $5000 prize money.

In its first three years, the Split Second Film Competition has received close to 500 entries, leading to three young Victorian filmmakers gaining real-world industry experience and seeing their film on the big screen.

The competition also provides an opportunity to communicate directly with young Victorians who are some of the state’s most vulnerable road users due to inexperience.

The winning film will be shown before movies at Village Cinemas across the state from October 21 to January 21, 2022.

For more information on the competition, how to enter, and to view past winners, visit tac.vic.gov.au/road-safety/split-second.

The competition is open for entries until an extended deadline of Sunday 15 August.

Says Ben Carroll, Minister for Roads and Road Safety: “Every day we see young people showing their creativeness and their ability to share important messages in new and innovative ways.”

“We’re hoping to tap into that creativity to empower young people to connect with their peers and send a powerful road safety message that save lives.”

Says Joe Calafiore, CEO, Transport Accident Commission: “In a fast-paced world we know that we have to find new ways to connect with the public and that’s especially true for young Victorian road users.”

“This competition has proven to be a fantastic avenue to connect directly with those young people and encourage them to think about their behaviour on the road.”