Children creatives, this one’s for you! ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) are on the lookout for young and inspired children to enter Australia’s student film competition, Screen It. This year’s theme, Mystery, will spark the creativity of school students around the country in making authentic and inventive films, animations and video games.
Screen It is a free, annual competition and will provide students from Australian primary and secondary schools the chance to participate. The competition is a curriculum-based learning program, adding a juicy bonus prize to celebrate students’ achievements.
Filmmakers, animators and game designers can enter a Live Action Film, Animation or Video Game. ACMI accepts entries via a school or independently, and from individuals or teams. For the first time this year, entries will be judged in three separate age groups: Foundation to Year 4, Years 5 to 8, and Years 9 to 12.
“Mystery is not just about the unknown or unfamiliar, but about possibility and discovery,” said ACMI Education Manager, Christine Evely. “Inspiration can stem from family, community or global events. The process of developing these ideas into characters, scenes and worlds on the screen will not only hone knowledge and skills across digital technologies, but will help students gain new perspectives and learn strategies for interpreting and responding to different situations in unique and creative ways.”
“Each year we look forward to seeing the incredible entries, and each year we are impressed at the dedication and ingenuity of entrants,” states Evely.
ACMI is the heart of today’s Australian creative industries. It is known for implementing multi-disciplinary programs, making Screen It no different.
Experienced ACMI educators will provide teachers with resources, which will demonstrate educational value in the classroom. This includes a comprehensive education resource kit, video conferences for students and teachers, and ACMI’s online creative tool Generator, designed to support students through the production process.
Last year, the competition obtained a record of 52 entries which comprised of 1,916 students across Australia. Winning entries have been preserved in the Australian Mediatheque where ACMI visitors can view them. They will also be showcased at ACMI’s permanent Screen Worlds exhibition, and online in Generator, ACMI’s creative resource studio space.
Students and teachers can now register to receive email updates with useful resources and a step-by-step guide for the competition. ACMI will accept submissions between Monday 1 August and Monday 19 September 2016. After the judging period, students, families and teachers will be able to celebrate at the awards gala held in November. The judge panel will include industry professionals in film and game creation as well as academic and industry representatives. Alongside the prizes of each category, the Best Overall Entries will be recognised as well.
To register for email updates and access Screen It resources and information, visit: acmi.net.au/screen-it
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