Australia’s next generation of top filmmaking talent is on show following today’s launch of a new national online short film competition.
Launched by AFI | AACTA (Australian Film Institute and Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) in partnership with Hyundai, the AFI | AACTA Social Shorts Powered by Genesis competition will highlight emerging filmmakers as their short films go head-to-head to win in three categories – Comedy, Drama and Independent.
The six-week competition will see short films watched and voted for online, with viewers sharing their votes via Facebook. Social media will play an integral part in the competition to introduce new audiences to Australian short films and filmmaking talent, and to acknowledge the public’s interest in online screen content in this prolific phase of the screen era.
Each Social Shorts category will own the spotlight for two weeks exclusively – with the category’s winning film announced at the end of the fortnight. To cast a vote, audiences simply ‘like’ their favourite short films on the Social Shorts website (www.socialshorts.com.au) and share via Facebook – the short film with the most ‘likes’ in each category will win.
“Excellence in short film has been recognised and awarded by AFI | AACTA since 1970. Short films so often serve as calling cards and stepping stones for our brightest emerging filmmakers, and prominent Australian filmmakers who have progressed their careers internationally following their short film success in Australia include Adam Elliot, Jane Campion, Peter Weir, Rachel Griffiths and David Michôd, amongst others,” said AFI | AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella.
“AFI | AACTA Social Shorts Powered by Genesis was launched in 2014 in partnership with Hyundai to build on this strong tradition by providing an unprecedented opportunity for emerging Australian filmmakers to have their work seen, shared and acknowledged by film enthusiasts and the film industry.”
Competing films will provide viewers with a strong delivery of quality films, with many, including Phantom Limb, Makeover and Great Adventures, national and international film festival favourites.
A celebration of great Australian acting talent will also be recognisable with narration by AACTA Prez Geoffrey Rush in three Australian Encounters entries, the outstanding work of Puberty Blues actors Susan Prior and Ashleigh Cummings on show in Snowblind, and a fresh approach with student-produced films, Loot and Where’s Pierre?
Social Shorts entrants comprise those short films which entered but were not nominated for the 4th AACTA Awards. The winning filmmakers in each category will receive a cash prize, industry-wide recognition and tickets to attend the 4th AACTA Awards Luncheon presented by Deluxe in Sydney, where they will have the opportunity to network, make new connections with industry peers and discuss collaborations with Australian film leaders.
Hyundai is the inaugural presenting partner of AFI | AACTA Social Shorts Powered by Genesis. Hyundai’s new Genesis brings next-generation design, engineering and technology to the Australian market. Genesis takes traditional concepts of luxury and evolves them as only Hyundai could dare.
“Genesis signals a new era in the evolution of Hyundai. The Social Shorts initiative is an exciting opportunity for emerging filmmakers and we’re proud to be supporting Australia’s film industry and its new generation of talent,” said Oliver Mann, Hyundai’s Director of Marketing.
For further information on Social Shorts and to vote, visit the Social Shorts website www.socialshorts.com.au, and share your favourites on social media. To keep abreast of the competition, follow AACTA on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AACTAawards.