The short film contest promotes road safety by speaking directly to young drivers — one of the most vulnerable demographics on the road because of their relative inexperience.
First-year drivers are almost four times more likely to be involved in a serious or fatal injury, with the risks even higher on regional and rural roads across Victoria.
So far this year, 10 people have died on Goulburn Valley roads, with two deaths occurring among drivers aged between 18 and 25.
Last year, 19 people lost their lives on roads across the region, with four deaths reported among people under 25, and 86 people between 18 and 25 required hospitalisation after a serious crash. The fourth annual competition is open for submissions, and the TAC is offering aspiring filmmakers a $70,000 budget to produce a 45-second film in promotion of safe driving.
The pitch is simple: the film must address low-level speeding or drink driving, which remain common causes of injuries and deaths on the road.
Communicating directly to young people, this year's winner will work with prestigious production company Sweet Shop in partnership with Village Cinemas to bring their concept to life.
They will also get a cash prize of $5000.
Filmmaker Alex Lowes won the competition last year for A Trial Before the King — a medieval comedy that promoted road safety without any images of cars.
“I wanted to talk directly to people who are in the vulnerable age bracket, appealing to people close to my own age and what resonated with them,” he said.
“I think people can get fatigued — you see so much horrible imagery to the point you get desensitised . . . the point of the competition is they're looking for things you wouldn't typically expect to find in a road safety ad.
“My film was the first TAC ad to have a dragon in it.”
The 23-year-old said since winning the competition, his filmmaking career had boomed, and he now had a short film, Pugs Before Drugs, in the works with Aunty Donna comedian Mark Bonanno.
“You don't have to have any sort of film background to enter this competition,” Mr Lowes said.
“As long as you have an idea . . . you're good to go.”
Transport Accident Commission chief executive Joe Calafiore said the TAC had to find "new ways" to connect with 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,” he said.
“Young people are some of our most vulnerable road users, partly because they’re inexperienced and more likely to take risks.
“The Split Second film competition aims to empower our young people to connect with their peers and send a powerful road safety message that aims to save lives.”
The winning film will be shown before movies screen at Village Cinemas across Victoria, including Shepparton, from October through to January.
● Entries close in August.
To apply, head to tac.vic.gov.au/road-safety/split-second