Two new short films aimed at young drivers have premiered as part of the Transport Accident Commission’s Split Second competition, with this year’s winners focusing on low-level speeding and seatbelt use.
Now in its seventh year, the competition invites aspiring filmmakers aged 18 to 30 to pitch road safety ideas targeting young drivers, who remain overrepresented in road trauma. Each winner receives a $5,000 cash prize and a $45,000 production budget to bring their concept to screen.
Stacey Park’s film, Keep the Tempo, draws on the precision and rhythm of Korean drumming to illustrate how even a slight increase in speed can disrupt control on the road. The film uses timing and movement to reflect the consequences of misjudgement behind the wheel.
Shane Senanayake’s entry, Unusual Behaviours, takes a different approach. Using humour, the film compares not wearing a seatbelt to growing up in a town where no one wears pants, highlighting what he portrays as the flawed logic behind ignoring basic safety measures.
Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne said the initiative was designed to connect with younger audiences in ways that traditional campaigns may not.
“This film competition is unique and powerful way to shape road safety messages for young Victorians that speak directly to them and encourage safe driving behaviour,” she said.
Transport Accident Commission chief executive Tracey Slatter said the winning films reflected the perspectives of young creatives addressing issues that directly affect their peers.
“We believe young Victorians will relate to Stacey and Shane’s creative and innovative thinking. By sparking conversations and shifting mindsets, their creativity will help drive safer road user behaviours,” she said.
Mr Senanayake said he did not expect to win when he first entered the competition.
“I’m beyond excited, I entered this competition because I love creative problem-solving, never expecting to actually win. To now be working on an ad of this scale, with such an important purpose, feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity”.
Ms Park said the competition allowed her to draw on her cultural background in developing the concept.
“I’m incredibly proud to have won the TAC Split Second competition. It offers a unique opportunity to apply my creativity and cultural perspective to shape public safety messaging that genuinely resonates with young people”.
The Split Second competition forms part of the TAC’s broader road safety program aimed at reducing trauma among young drivers. The winning films are available through the TAC website.
For more information, click here.
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