The Road Safety Authority and Setanta Insurance are calling on budding young filmmakers to submit an original concept for a short film, with €3,000 prize money on offer as well as the chance to work with professional film producers.
The ‘Keep Drama off our Roads’ competition aims to remind young people to play a role in reducing deaths and injuries on our roads. This year’s competition, launched by Irish actor, Keith McErlean, focuses on the dangers of using a mobile phone, and particularly texting, while driving.
Of the 131 fatalities on Irish roads this year so far, one-third were drivers aged between 16 and 25. Driver distraction plays a role in 20-30% of all road collisions and mobile phones are a big contributor to this in terms of young drivers.
Applicants must submit, via www.keepdramaofftheroads.ie, an original and innovative concept for a short film that tackles the issue of mobile phone use, and particularly texting, while driving. A panel of experts will determine the overall winner, who will have the chance to turn their short film concept into reality. Three runners-up will each win €500.
McErlean described the competition as a “fantastic opportunity for a young student to put their creative talents to good use and develop a film concept that could make a real impact on the behaviour of their friends and other young people”.
Last year’s winning entry, ‘Loaded Weapon’ by UCC student Richard Lahart, has been viewed over 31,000 times on YouTube. Closing date for applications is November 16th and further information can be found on www.keepdramaofftheroads.ie.
Sarah Bermingham
Leave a Reply