19 April 2012

Strathfield Council is inviting young people aged between 12-24 to write, direct, produce and star in their own short film.

The Strathfield Youth Film Festival theme ‘Keep It Safe’ encourages young people to think about the issues of personal safety and take the responsibility for not being a victim of crime.

All short film entries must deliver a positive community safety message targeted to a youth audience.

The festival aims to prevent and reduce crime, the fear of crime and antisocial behaviour with a particular focus on youth crime including robbery, vandalism and assaults and is made possible with the funding from the Federal Attorney-General and the support of NSW Police.

Mayor of Strathfield, Cr Paul Barron said the film competition and festival is a valuable partnership initiative for Council and the community.

“The Attorney General, police and councils are calling on young people to develop a short film that resonates with other young people about being safe in the community. It’s easy to give young people information about keeping safe, but it can be difficult to get them to listen. The Strathfield Youth Film Festival has the potential to deliver a strong ‘keep it safe’ message to a wide community,” Cr Barron said.

“I strongly encourage all young people with an interest in film production to spend some time developing an entry for this youth film festival – a very worthwhile concept.”

All entries will be judged on a criterion of safety message and impact of the film, originality and production.

Entries are now open, will full details and registration information available at www.youthfilmfestival.com.au.

Entries will close on Thursday 31 May and will culminate with the inaugural Strathfield Youth Film Festival on Saturday 16 June in Strathfield Town Centre. The Film Festival will screen short-listed films and present awards to category winners and the overall best film in a glittering ceremony for film makers and their guests, young people and families in the Strathfield and Inner West region.

For more information and entry criteria, visit www.youthfilmfestival.com.au.