CATEGORY DETAILS AND JUDGING CRITERIA
Best Short Dramatic Film
Produce a dramatic fictional film in any style or genre. Films should be no longer than 5 minutes, must deserve less than an ‘M’ rating, and must not use copyright material. Submissions will be judged on: Originality and creativity; Clarity and strength of idea and script; Visual creativity, and good execution in terms of performance, camera, sound and editing.
Best Persuasive Essay
Write a 500 word persuasive speech on a topic of your choice. The aim is to convey a convincing argument and to persuade your audience to consider your point-of-view. Topics should be drawn from Australian or international politics and social issues, entertainment and sport, education or activism and advocacy. Submissions will be judged on: Demonstrates understanding of speech format (writing for the ear); Demonstrates ability to articulate a clear and cohesive argument; Demonstrates originality of thought and evidence of research; Demonstrates understanding of the intended audience.
Best Video Game Character Concept
Produce a poster-size game character concept design containing one or more images of your character and text to illuminate their backstory. Via visual and/or textual indications of pose, clothing, equipment, and accessories, convey your character’s personality, culture, and capabilities. Characters need not be human, maximum poster image dimensions: 2048x1024px, jpg format. Submissions will be judged on: Originality and creativity of ideas; Clear, distinctive execution; Suitability of character elements in overall design; Attention to detail.
Best Magazine Cover Design
Create a magazine cover of your own design for your favourite media genre such as TV, movies, comic books, zines, blogs, web shows, pod casts, etc. Your self published magazine cover design should include standard publication requirements such as a title, issue subtitle, captions for what’s inside, bar code and price. The cover design should incorporate only original work such as photographs that only you have taken or illustrations that only you have drawn. Submissions will be judged on visual creativity, originality, typography and attention to detail. Submit your project as a PDF document.
Best Music Production
Create a music production 3-5 minutes in length that you have composed, performed and produced. It can be made using acoustic sources, for example, voices and piano, electronic sources such as computer music technology, or a combination of both. Submissions will be judged on: Technical production quality; Effectiveness of the arrangement; Musicality; Emotional strength; Creativity.
Best Recorded Interview
Record a 3-5 minute interview you have conducted as the reporter with an interviewee. You will have crafted the questions, the angle of the interview, recorded the sound effects and produced the final edit. You may submit an audio-recorded OR filmed interview, but the overarching focus of entries should be defined by sound quality. Submissions will be judged on: Overall sound quality; Coherent storyline; Choice of questions, Choice of talent; Use of sound effects; Quality of editing.
Best Photographic Series
Produce a series 5-10 photographs linked by theme and style. Editing is permitted. Submissions will be judged on: Composition; Use of light; Technical skill; Imagination.
Best Dramatic Monologue to Camera
Perform a 2 minute monologue to camera without props. Monologue can be original or from existing dramatic text. Submissions will be judged on: Understanding of the language and the character selected; vocal clarity; Understanding of the character’s presence through movement and other dramatic techniques pertinent to the role.
Best Online News Story
Produce a news story – either written, video or interview style. The story needs to focus on a real event, person or thing. The final product should not take more than two minutes to be listened to, read, or viewed. Submissions will be judged on how succinctly the story has been constructed and how well any additional multimedia is crafted..
Best Short Story
Write an original 1500 word short story in any style or genre. The story must be previously unpublished, and not entered into any other competition. Submissions will be judged on: Demonstration of understanding of the short story form; demonstration of originality, flair and fluency in style and technique; reader engagement.