Franklin Hosts Anti-Drink Driving Film Contest

Franklin District Mayor Mark Ball hosted the inaugural National Secondary Schools Anti-Drink Drive Short Film Competition prize giving this afternoon.

The initiative, run by Students Against Driving Drunk and Blue Light, is seen as a vehicle for schools to talk openly about drink driving issues and help young people to feel confident about saying ‘no’ to peer pressure. New Zealand has a very high rate of youth drink driving and just as disturbing is the number of young people who travel as passengers with both peers and trusted adults who are intoxicated.

Minister of Police Hon Judith Collins was guest speaker at the event. She says, “I would like to congratulate all those involved. I am enormously impressed by the creativity and talent on show today. I believe the real value of the films we have seen today is that they look at drink-driving through the eyes of young people, and tackle the issue in a way that young people can empathise with.”

Three winning entries in each category were viewed at the event. The criteria for the short films was that they were under five minutes in length, based around an anti-drink driving message, with an underlying theme of peer pressure, and had to illustrate the theme either in a positive way, or show the consequences of the negative outcome.

Franklin District Mayor Mark Ball says, “Franklin District is proud to host this important event. Alcohol was a factor in 19 percent of injury crashes in Franklin in 2008, with 15 deaths and 61 serious injuries resulting from it between 2004 – 2008. I truly hope the messages seen in these films today will make a difference to students and help them find the courage to act against the peer pressure associated with drink driving.”

Nearly 36,000 drink-driving offences were recorded in New Zealand last year, which is the highest on record. The number has been increasing steadily since 2002, when just under 23,500 offences were recorded.

Turners Auctions have sponsored the competition, which organisers hope will be an annual event.

Prize Winners:
* 1st Prize
-General Admission: Glendowie College – Hohepa Hemara, Brennain Harland-Smith, Mike Vass - $750 cash for the students, $1000 prize money for the school

-Maori or Pacific Island focused: Gisborne (Mentoring Maori Youth Thru Film – Shannon Leef) $750 cash for the students, $1000 prize money for the school.

*2nd Prize
-General Admission: Kings College – Anna Cadlion, Lisa Wolff, $500 cash for the students, $500 prize money for the school.

-Maori or Pacific Island focused: Mt Albert Grammer, Jordan Lukupa $500 cash for the students, $500 prize money for the school.

*3rd Prize General admission: Timaru Boys High – Tony Bunting, Tom Roberts, Jason Hunt $250 cash for the students, $250 prize money for the school

*4th Prize – Selwyn College – Maysie Chan, Kristy Kang, Djordje Tadic

Ends

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