Call for entries is now open for Unscene, a new short film competition run by Village Cinemas Australia for emerging filmmakers and students.
Entrants have been asked to make a film inspired by the theme of young people in the film industry and the impact of piracy on their future.
The winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000, filming equipment and the opportunity for their film to screen across Village Cinemas pre-show and foyer video walls.
The competition runs in partnership with Event Cinemas and Open Channel, Victoria’s not-for-profit screen resource and networking organisation for early career filmmakers.
Village Cinemas marketing manager Nic Robin told IF that the decision to start Unscene stemmed from conversations with Open Channel, who noted short film festivals were becoming rarer.
“We found it very apparent that no one from a major exhibition space was really supporting young filmmakers across Australia and in Victoria where we operate,” said Robin.
“This was an opportunity for us to do something for young filmmakers and give them access to a larger audience base across our circuit, which has 12 million admissions a year.”
Robin said the focus on piracy gave young filmmakers the opportunity to make a film about their own future in the industry.
“The community thinks piracy only affects the mainstream exhibitor or the Hollywood studio when really that isn't the fact. Piracy affects the local producer, the boom operator, the sound technician, the cameraman. We want to bring that fact to light,” he said.
Films may be up to five minutes in length, and the competition is open to anybody aged 18 and over.
Shortlisted finalists will be chosen though online voting and put before industry experts. The winner will be announced at a gala event at Village Cinemas Rivoli on November 28.
For more information, please visit: unscenefilms.com.au