AACTA Pitch: Charging Creativity presented by MINI

Take charge of your creativity and submit your short film concept to win $5,000 cash plus $15,000 to bring your short film to life!

Applications are now closed!

We are looking to hear from Australia’s next generation of filmmakers who have unique, creative and fun ideas for short films that are inspired by MINI’s ‘Charging Creativity’ manifesto.

This marks the second year that MINI has supported the next generation of filmmakers, with MINI and AACTA collaborating in 2019 to deliver AACTA Pitch: Forever Unexpected presented by MINI. The competition saw winner Loani Arman bring her short film OUR GREATEST ESCAPE to life, and she is now in development on a TV Series with a prominent Australian production company off the back of her success. Watch Loani’s winning short film OUR GREATEST ESCAPE here.

This year, up to five finalists will be selected to participate in the AACTA Pitch: Charging Creativity final event which will give each finalist the opportunity to pitch their concept and convince the judging panel that they have the best idea to transform into a short film.

Finalists will be pitching for the chance to win a grand prize that includes:

• $5,000 cash
• $15,000 towards the production of their short film
• A complimentary MINI Electric Hatch vehicle for the duration of the shoot
• Tickets to the 2020 AACTA Awards Ceremony presented by Foxtel
• Invaluable feedback and mentoring opportunities with the judging panellists

Applicants are required to submit a draft script, which is to be inspired by the MINI ‘Charging Creativity’ manifesto, along with a title, logline, 500 word synopsis and résumé of the writer/s and/or director/s.. Entries should also include integration of the MINI Electric Hatch vehicle in some manner. Entry for AACTA Pitch: Charging Creativity is $50 for AACTA Professional and AACTA General Members and $80 for non-members.

		Writer, Producer and award winning film critic Margaret Pomeranz AM (SCREEN, THE MOVIE SHOW, AT THE MOVIES)
		Award-wining producer Michele Bennett (JUDY & PUNCH, CHOPPER, MR INBETWEEN)
		Winner of AACTA Pitch: Forever Unexpected presented by MINI Loani Arman (OUR GREATEST ESCAPE, MY BODY SAYS)
		AACTA Award winning producer John Molloy (MOLLY, THE GLOAMING, UNDERTOW)

AACTA welcomes everyone with an idea for a live action, scripted short film to enter, and encourages concepts from creators and teams from diverse and under-represented backgrounds. 

MINI ‘CHARGING CREATIVITY’ MANIFESTO
Creativity is an enigma.
It can’t really be explained, because it’s felt so differently by everyone.
It’s personal, authentic and entirely unique.
It dares us to be different.
Pushes our limits.
Helps us to look on the bright side.
And in all but an instant, it connects us.
The designers and makers. The bold and the curious. The artists of all ages.
When creativity strikes, it can’t be contained.
It’s like a spark, an optimism that catches on quickly.
A hunger to get out and feel the wind in your hair.
It’s a charge that’s emotive and so clever, it’s simple.
It’s electric – just like MINI.
In 2020, we’re launching our first fully electric hatch.
And it’s here to inspire the creative within us all.
At first glance, you might not even hear it, or see it.
And that’s the beauty of it.
It’s the whir of electricity, with the familiar twinkle of iconic design.
It’s the go-kart handling, with the unexpected flash of the Union Jack.
It’s the MINI you know, reimagined for the roads of tomorrow.
And it’s charged with passion, for generations to come.
Because that’s what makes us MINI, now and into the future.