Young BC filmmakers’ videos address risky driving habits

A disproportionately high percentage of young drivers in British Columbia are involved in car crashes. To address this growing concern, ICBC, along with the B.C. Film Commission and the Canadian Media Production Association, launched the 180 short-film contest in September 2010.

The contest challenged 19 to 25 year olds in the province to create short films about speeding, impaired driving or distracted driving that would make their peers rethink their risky driving habits – get them to do a 180.

By the end of the contest, 124 films were submitted for consideration. Films were short-listed by an ICBC peer panel and road safety experts, then judged by an expert panel, which included Terri Tatchell, Academy Award nominated co-screenwriter for the film, District 9. On March 9, ICBC announced the winners of the 180 short-film contest.

Vancouver’s Lauren Holmes, 21, was awarded the prize in the impaired driving category. Her entry, “Live Fast, Die Young”:

Twenty-two year old Nelson Talbot from Langley took first place in the speeding category with his “2 Fast 2 Fatal”:

David McDonald, 25, from New Westminster, won in the distracted driving category with “If Lives are in Your Hands”:

Each winner will receive a film-making package worth approximately $7,800.

The People’s Choice award was given to 20 year old Saad Khan from Richmond. His entry was the most-liked video, getting almost 1,000 fan votes on YouTube.

“We’re amazed by how many talented filmmakers got behind the lens to help promote road safety, reach their peers in a meaningful way, and potentially help save lives,” said Jon Schubert, ICBC’s president and CEO, in a statement. “Because of the incredible quality of the films, we’ll be featuring the winning entries in our youth-oriented road safety programs this year.”

To see more of the 180 short-film contest’s entries, visit its YouTube channel.

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