Registrations are now open for Screen It 2014, Australia’s largest competition for school-aged filmmakers, animators and game makers, run annually by the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI).
The competition is free to enter and open to all primary or secondary students. Entries can be live-action films, computer games or animations. Each year students are inspired by a new theme.
In 2014 the theme Reflection, provides a starting point for students and teachers to explore topical issues while learning game, animation and filmmaking techniques. Students may wish to relate the theme to self, family, friendship, community, country, topical issues in the media, the past, present or future, cause and effect, emotions, or everyday life. They may explore ideas of reflective practice for wellbeing, representations in literature, mythology, art, and culture, or abstract interpretations involving water, mirrors, or other objects with reflective surfaces or qualities.
ACMI’s Education Manager, Christine Evely, is proud of the contribution the competition makes to the lives of young people, “For ten years now Screen It has fostered creativity, skill development and a generation of young people able to critically reflect on issues and experiences, but more significantly I’d like to highlight the unique and creative body of work made each year by a new generation of moving image makers.”
“Screen It provides an opportunity to genuinely celebrate the voice of young people. We look forward to the myriad ways this year’s theme will spark imaginative and transformative storytelling through the moving image. Students can enter Screen It through their school or independently; they can work by themselves, as part of a collaborative team, or even as a whole class. I’d really like to encourage primary and secondary students from all around Australia to submit entries in 2014.”
“We are keen to see how students investigate ‘reflection’. Reflection could be a bouncing ray of light, heat or sound; an image looking back at you from a mirror or a puddle; the casting back of your mind to a day gone by. Then again, for some it will be important to think about the spaces that enable reflection to take place, for others, the focus may be on the people who have shaped their lives, meaningful experiences, or abstract interpretations of reflection,” said Christine.
Unlike other student film competitions, Screen It is designed to provide rich cross-disciplinary educational outcomes for participants. Teachers are encouraged to download the Education Resources devised by ACMI’s experienced educators to assist with developing the theme, to register online for Screen It Video Conferences with ACMI Education staff, and they may choose to utilise Generator, ACMI’s online creative tool which can support the production process.
Screen It is judged by a panel of industry professionals. Winners will be acknowledged at a glittering red carpet awards ceremony in December, each receiving a certificate, a trophy and a DVD prize pack courtesy of Madman Entertainment. Along with prizes for each category, the primary and secondary school with the Best Overall Entries will be recognised. In addition, winning entries will be added to the Australian Mediatheque where ACMI visitors can view moving image works on demand, as well as being exhibited in ACMI’s Screen Worlds gallery, on Generator and the ACMI website.
Screen It celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2014. In 2013 the competition attracted 373 entries submitted by over 1567 students nationwide, making it Australia’s biggest moving image competition for young people.
Entries for the 2014 competition close on Friday 12 September.
A frequently asked questions page has been set up to assist students and teachers.
Screen It 2014 key dates:
Friday 12 September – Registrations and receipt of entries close
Monday 24 November – Winners announced
Friday 5 December – Screen It 2014 Awards Ceremony
Watch the 2014 Call to Action Video here
