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Are You The Next Spielberg? You Could Win 30k USD!

Move over Tropfest, Sundance, and Flickerfest, there’s a new short film competition in town, and one tech giant is keen to reward you for your creative camera skills. Are you the next Spielberg? Allow me to introduce Connect5: a 5-minute film […]

Move over Tropfest, Sundance, and Flickerfest, there’s a new short film competition in town, and one tech giant is keen to reward you for your creative camera skills. Are you the next Spielberg?

Allow me to introduce Connect5: a 5-minute film competition launched by Optus to find aspiring film-makers. The next Tarantino or Burton will have until September 30th to make a 5-minute original short film focused on the theme of ‘connecting lives’. And then Optus will throw money at you!

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Every person entering has the chance to win one of two $5000 prizes, and finalists will go on to the next stage: a regional competition in Bangkok where your film will go up against films from Africa, India, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia. And, as if an excuse for a holiday, international acclaim, and a head start to your film career wasn’t enough, the prize for winning the regional comp is $30k USD! Just think of the camera equipment, people!

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And, if you don’t have any of the pro goods yet, fear not: the competition criteria is on originality of content, cinematography, and storytelling plus it’s open to everyone, including those who can only capture content on their phones.

“The competition offers a platform for everybody, from industry professionals to the everyday mobile user, to capture what ‘connecting lives’ means to them and spread a powerful message through video,” says Optus.

The competition is being fronted by retired Australian actor, producer, voice-over artist, and philanthropist, Samuel Johnson (The Secret Life of Us, Rush, Underbelly, Molly).  Johnson is very keen on the idea of getting amatuer film makers into the spotlight and using easily accessible tech to capture something beautiful.

“Video content is the ultimate depiction of how connected our lives have become. Everyone who believes great content has the power to unite people should get involved in Connect5 and submit up to 5 minutes of powerful footage,” says Johnson

It’s very encouraging to see large companies like Optus not only backing the future filmmakers of Australia, but also creating a platform designed specifically for amateurs to get off the ground. So, if you have a mobile phone, take up the challenge – you never know where it might lead! You can upload your submission here by September 30th.

This article has been sponsored by Optus