Reel Australia - FAQs
Q: What are the competition rules for entering the Reel Australia Short Film Competition?
A: Please see Competition Rules. This is the place where you really need to start when considering if and how to enter.
There are three main reasons for this:
- How will the films be used?
- Copyright and license information
- Submitting entries correctly, the format and description
Q: Who is running the Reel Australia Short Film Competition?
A: The Australia Day Council of NSW (ADCNSW).
Q: Why is the Reel Australia Short Film Competition being run?
A: The competition has been developed under the banner of the ADCNSW’s Australian Identity & Culture campaign. It is a great initiative for people to get involved in and contribute to our larger sense of national identity, by exploring the theme, “Make Your Mark Australia”. It’s an opportunity for proud Aussies to celebrate the many and varied valuable contributions that Australians make every day; locally, nationally and internationally.
Your challenge is to film and interpret in two minutes a response to the question “What makes a mark on your Australia?” It could be about contributions (or how people make their mark on) charity, sport, science, family, popular culture, whether it’s on a local, national or global scale …it’s up to you.
Q: Who may take part in the Reel Australia Short Film Competition?
A: All proud Aussies are welcome to take part in the Reel Australia Short Film Competition. Reel Australia is open to all Australian citizens whether living in Australia or abroad. Foreign citizens living in Australia on long-term visas (such as residency, work, student visa) are eligible to enter. People living in Australia on short-term/tourist visas are not eligible to enter.
Q: Will there be any divisions?
A: This year there are three separate divisions within the Reel Australia Short Film Competition – Open, Junior and Mobile.
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Open
All proud Aussies are welcome to take part in the Open division. Whether you’re a professional film maker, studying film at university or just someone that’s always been interested in film but has never tried their hand at it, you can enter the Open division. There are no age limits, but people under the age of 18 will need to gain the consent of their parent or guardian.
Entrants to the Open division are encouraged to create a short film no longer than two minutes exploring the theme for Australia Day 2012, ‘Make Your Mark Australia’. The film can be shot and edited using professional equipment if available.
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Junior
The Junior division is only open to people aged under 18 years, who will need the consent of their parent/guardian. Entrants will mainly be from primary or secondary schools. If you are 18 years or older, you can only enter the Open or Mobile divisions. Junior entrants may also enter the Open and Mobile divisions, however only one division can be selected per entry.
The same theme and guidelines will apply in the Junior division as in the Open division.
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Mobile
If you don’t have the time to shoot and edit a high quality two minute film for the Open division, you should try your hand at the Mobile division. Entrants to the Mobile division must record their film on a mobile phone device on which video making is not the prime function, and the film must be no longer than one minute.
Entrants to the Mobile division are still encouraged to submit a clip that explores the theme for Australia Day 2012, ‘Make Your Mark Australia’. It could be a video of yourself speaking directly to the camera, or of your dad waxing lyrical at the family barbecue, or of you and your mates at the beach…it’s up to you! There are no age limits but people under the age of 18 will need the consent of their parent/guardian.
Entrants can enter via www.facebook.com/AustraliaDay26 or www.aussievault.com.au.
Q: How can I enter the Reel Australia Short Film Competition?
A: Firstly, you will need to be a registered user of www.AUSSIEVAULT.com.au with a valid password and login combination to upload your film. You will need to read and accept the Competition Rules, complete the entry form, upload your film and submit. You will be asked to confirm or change your submission – once satisfied, please submit your film for approval.
Q: Can I enter the Reel Australia Short Film Competition via the Australia Day Facebook page?
A: You can enter the Mobile division of the competition via the Reel Australia Mobile tab on the Australia Day Facebook page or via www.AUSSIEVAULT.com.au. The Open and Junior divisions can only be entered via www.AUSSIEVAULT.com.au.
Please note that if you have recorded a video on a mobile phone, you will have to upload your video onto a PC or laptop and then upload from there onto the Australia Day Facebook page or www.AUSSIEVAULT.com.au.
Q: I am under 18, can I enter?
A: Yes, provided you check with a parent/guardian to ensure that they consent to you uploading any films. Your parent/ guardian will also need to accept the prize, however, expenses associated with the acceptance of this prize will not be covered for the parent/guardian. We encourage all entrants under 18 to read the competition rules with a parent or guardian.
Q: I am under 18, do I have to enter the Junior division?
A: No. People under the age of 18 are able to enter the Open or Mobile division as well as the Junior division. The same film cannot be entered into each division.
Q: I am 18 or older, which division should I enter?
A: People aged 18 years and over can enter the Open division and the Mobile division – you cannot enter the Junior division.
Q: I am a professional film maker - can I enter?
A: Yes. The Open division is open to all Australian citizens and we welcome professional and amateur film makers to participate.
Q: What sort of films should be submitted to the Mobile division?
A: Entrants to the Mobile division must record their film on a mobile phone device on which video making is not the prime function, and the film must be no longer than one minute. Entrants to the Mobile division are still encouraged to submit a film that explores the theme for Australia Day 2012, ‘Make Your Mark Australia’. It could be a video of yourself speaking directly to the camera, or of your dad waxing lyrical at the family barbecue, or of you and your mates at the beach…it’s up to you!
Q: Do you have to use an iPhone to submit films to the Mobile division?
A: No, you can use any mobile phone device on which video making is not the prime function to submit a video to the Reel Australia Mobile division.
Q: Can I upload a film directly from my phone to www.AUSSIEVAULT.com.au?
A: As we do not yet have a smartphone application for www.AUSSIEVAULT.com.au, you will not be able to upload your film directly from your phone to the website. You can upload the video onto a PC or laptop and then upload from there onto www.AUSSIEVAULT.com.au.
Q: Can I use music in my film?
A: Music can only be used in a submitted film if it is an original composition. No songs or sound effects can be included if they were published or owned by a third party. You must agree to the waiver on the film entry form.
Q: Are there other important restrictions?
A: Only original works [films] made specifically for the Reel Australia Short Film Competition can be submitted. Films must not have been submitted or screened at any other film festival or made available on free to air or pay TV, in cinemas on the Internet or any other public arena. This restriction does not include cast and crew screenings.
Q: I entered last year’s Reel Australia Competition, can I re-enter the same film?
A: No. New films must be created.
Q: What format can I submit my film in?
A: Films in the Open and Junior divisions must be in one of the following four formats; Windows Media Video (.WMV), AVI (windows), MOV (mac) and MPEG. Films in the Mobile division can be in .MPEG4, .MP4, .3PG or .3PGG format.
Q: Do you accept animations?
A: Yes.
Q: How will the Finalists be selected?
A: The ADCNSW in association with the Australian Film Institute will review all entries and select up to 10 finalists from each division. If you have made it as a Finalist you will be notified by 15 December 2011.
Entries will be individually judged based on each film’s ability to reflect the theme of Reel Australia in ways which:
- Respond to the question “What makes a mark on your Australia?”
- showcase inspirational contributions that have made their mark on Australia
- are creative, innovative and entertaining
- must not exceed two minutes in length for the Open and Junior divisions, and must not exceed one minute in length for the Mobile division
The Finalists will be highlighted on www.AUSSIEVAULT.com.au in the Finalist section.
Q: If I'm featured on the website as a Finalist does that mean I'm eligible for the prize?
A: Yes. Finalists eligible for the Prize will receive a confirmation email by 15 December 2011 letting them know their film has been short listed and will be reviewed by the judging panel.
Q: Who will select the winners?
A: The ADCNSW has formed a judging panel to select one winner in each division.
Q: What are the Prizes?
A: There will be one prize winner for each division in the Reel Australia Short Film Competition.
1. Open:
- $4,000 in cash
- An exclusive Australia Day experience courtesy of the Australia Day Council of NSW.
2. Mobile
- iPad 2
- In addition to this, we will be awarding minor prizes, courtesy of Sailing Sydney, to entries that are submitted before certain dates throughout the competition. Keep your eye on www.AUSSIEVAULT.com.au and our Facebook and Twitter pages to find out how you can win and what’s up for grabs!
3. Junior
- $1,000 in cash
- Canon EOS 600D DSLR camera
Q: What is the difference between Living Australian and Reel Australia?
A: Reel Australia is our short film competition, while Living Australian is an online photography competition. Both competitions are run on www.AUSSIEVAULT.com.au and we encourage everyone to enter both Reel Australia and Living Australian.
Q: When will the winners of the Reel Australia Short Film Competition be announced?
A: The winning films from each division will be announced on 22 January 2012 at the official Australia Day Launch. The winners must be willing to participate (where available) in any media requests or opportunities that result from being named a winner in the Reel Australia Short Film Competition for 2012.
Q: Other people have contributed to my film, how will they be acknowledged?
A: All people that have contributed to your film can be acknowledged in the caption that you submit with your film.
Q: Will late entries be accepted?
A: In order to be eligible for the prize the ADCNSW will not be accepting any entries after 6 December 2011 for the competition. Please refer to the Competition Rules.
Q: Can I edit my film details after submitting my entry?
A: No. Once you have submitted your entry you will no longer be able to edit any of your film’s details. Please fill in the detail section carefully and review before submitting. You will be able to change your contact details as part of your AUSSIEVAULT website registration.
Q: How many times can I enter?
A: Only one film per person can be submitted in each division (i.e. a total of 3 films across 3 divisions). Please refer to Competition Rules.
Q: When uploading a film, is the description section mandatory?
A: Yes. You will be required to provide a short description of how your film responds to the question 'What makes a mark on your Australia?' in 200 words or less to qualify for the competition. All entries will also be judged on the description they submit.
Q: What happens to the films once they have been entered? Does the ADCNSW own the rights to the films?
A: No, but once you accept the Competition Rules, ADCNSW will have the license to use your film for the promotion of all Australia Day related activities and programs. Films will also be used to promote Australia Day through the Australia Day Council of NSW’s websites, e-newsletters, media outlets, social media networks and other forms of marketing collateral produced to encourage the celebration of Australia Day throughout the nation.
Q: How long after I submit my film will it be made available on www.AUSSIEVAULT.com.au?
A: All approved films will be made available on www.AUSSIEVAULT.com.au within 48 hours of submission.
Q: Is my privacy protected?
A: Yes. Your personal details will not be released to any third parties outside ADCNSW and Australia Day sponsors involved in the competition. Email and contact details will not be viewable on the website to the public. The ADCNSW may contact you in regards to media requests and other opportunities. Your name and state will be displayed with the film you upload.
Q: What ways can the public participate in this competition?
A: Public can enter the competition by submitting a film based on the criteria as well as being able to view and comment on the films that have been submitted.
Q: Does it cost anything to enter?
A: No, it doesn’t cost anything to enter the Reel Australia Short Film Competition.
