Film competition this week

Up and coming directors, producers and actors will have an opportunity to get creative in the University of Southern Queensland (USQ)'s 40/40 film competition this week.

Film lecturer Daryl Sparkes said the competition was designed to celebrate USQ's 40th Anniversary by capturing the effect USQ has on the community.

'Basically this film competition revolves around the notion that USQ has had a significant effect on the lives of USQ graduates, current students and members of the general public.

'Entrants are to capture this effect through a three (minimum) to five (maximum) minute video production which they are to shoot and edit themselves.'

With the theme 'How USQ has changed my life', the competition is open to all USQ graduates, current students and members of the general public (excluding current USQ staff).

Each film is to be shot and edited within 40 hours (from 12.01am Thursday 9 August 2007 to 5.00pm Friday 10 August 2007).

'Entrants will need to include a 'secret object' in their film so we know it has been shot and edited in 40 hours,' Mr Sparkes said.

The new 'secret object' will be revealed at midnight on Thursday 9 August 2007 on the USQ website www.usq.edu.au/40years/events/40_40.htm

'The film genre is to be the personal choice of the filmmaker – drama, comedy, musical, documentary style or auto-biographical, it's completely up to their imagination.'

Films entered into the competition will be short listed down to six finalists. These six films will be screened at the Toowoomba Open Day on Sunday 19 August.

Films must be either posted to Mr Sparkes or hand delivered to A block at the Toowoomba campus by 5:00pm on Friday, 10 August 2007.

There is no restriction on the number of films that can be entered however all entries must use the entry form on the website.

For more information, entry forms and full terms and conditions, visit the website www.usq.edu.au/40years/events/40_40.htm.

Media Contact: Jane Urquhart USQ Media +61 7 4631 2559