Young filmmakers to focus on Adelaide

Wednesday, 11 July 2007

Young South Australians are being urged to try their hand at becoming our next generation of filmmakers, thanks to a new short film competition being run by the University of Adelaide.

The competition - part of a Festival of Short Film being held by the University during its Open Day on 26 August - is encouraging young South Australians to tell their stories about the life and culture of the city of Adelaide, even if they've never made (or considered making) a movie before!

With the theme 'Adelaide's Street Stories', people under the age of 25 will need to make a short movie of five minutes or less that tells a story about the streets of Adelaide. They could be stories of danger, excitement, or romance, quirky tales, quiet moments, or amazing but unnoticed features of Adelaide.

All finalists will have their stories screened during a dedicated half-hour program on Channel 9, Adelaide, and will be streamed online at the AdelaideNow website (www.adelaidenow.com.au), giving the short films instant exposure to a wider audience. The finalists' films will also be screened during the Festival of Short Film at the University of Adelaide.

All finalists will go into the running for a grand prize: the use of professional equipment and editing assistance sponsored by Kojo Group, valued at $4000, and free membership to the Media Resource Centre for 12 months.

There is no entry fee for the competition.

"The kinds of technology available to young people today put making stories within the grasp of many, with schools and homes alike kitted out with some of the latest, publicly available equipment and software," says the University of Adelaide's Head of Media, Associate Professor Mary Griffiths.

"We're hoping this accessibility of media technology and a strong awareness of media amongst young people will empower them to step forward to tell creative stories about Adelaide that are relevant and interesting," she says.

"The competition could make a real difference to young movie makers in South Australia, because of the chance to have their work seen and appreciated by a wider public, and because of the industry exposure they will receive at an early stage in their budding careers.

"South Australia has been home to some fantastic filmmaking talent and continues to play an important role in the nation's film industry," Dr Griffiths says.

"We see such talented and aspiring young people studying Media at the University of Adelaide, that I have no doubt that this competition has the potential to unearth South Australia's next generation of great directors, writers, producers, actors and animators," she says.

Mark Colson, General Manager of Channel 9, Adelaide said "As a local station we are thrilled to have the opportunity to promote young South Australian talent and we look forward to showcasing the winning entries in a half-hour television special."

The short films must be suitable for screening to a general audience.

Entries close 5pm Friday 10 August 2007.

All public enquiries about the competition should be directed to:

Donna Fiegert, Project Officer, Marketing & Strategic Communications, University of Adelaide,
Tel: (08) 8303 5741, email: donna.fiegert@adelaide.edu.au

Or visit the website: www.adelaide.edu.au/openday/festival

The Adelaide's Street Stories short film competition and Short Film Festival at the University of Adelaide is generously supported by The Advertiser, Channel 9 Adelaide, the Media Resource Centre, Starcom, and Kojo Group.

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