THE Blue Datto Foundation is calling for creative young minds across Western Sydney to take part in its inaugural short film competition.
The ‘Impact the Screen – Impact a Life’ initiative aims to provide young people with a forum to raise awareness and safety on our roads.
Open to young people between 17 and 25 years, Blue Datto says it hopes the competition will inspire entrants to identify ways to help change the risky culture of young drivers.
“More needs to be done at a community level to educate our young people and save lives, and we hope this competition will help young people talk about the issues and what can be done in a constructive, creative way,” said Erin Vassallo, CEO and Co-Founder of Blue Datto.
Blue Datto is well known for its Keeping Safe driver education program that targets 16 to 18-year-olds. It is a registered charity founded by the Vassallo family following the death of 17-year-old Philip Vassallo in a car crash in Penrith in 2014.
The competition includes two categories: a Teenage Category for youth aged 15 to 17, and a Young Adult Category for individuals aged 18 to 25.
Entrants must create a short film (one to two minutes) based on the theme, ‘Keep Your Mates Safe’.
The Young Adult winner gets $2,500 in cash, and the Teenage winner gets a five-week film-making course with Sydney Short Film School plus a $500 cash prize. The winning film will also feature in the Keeping Safe program.
Entries close Friday, August 31. Winners will be announced at Blue Datto’s annual Gala Dinner on Saturday, October 20.
Register at www.impactthescreen.org.