• The renamed biennial national 2020 Spiritus Short Film Prize aims to contribute to a vision of hope and the common good for Australia
• Expert panel of four judges will award up to six prizes in three categories based on five criteria
• Entries opened Monday 3 February and close Tuesday 30 June, with winners announced in September

Entries are open for the biennial national 2020 Spiritus Short Film Prize, an initiative of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture (ACC&C) at Charles Sturt University.

ACC&C Executive Director Professor Stephen Pickard said, “The biennial prize began in 2015 as the Religious Short Film Prize but was renamed as the Spiritus Short Film Prize in 2020 to better reflect its purpose and aims.

“The Spiritus Short Film Prize initiative is part of the Centre’s commitment to promote the lively interaction between arts, sciences and culture, which is one of the Four Pillars of its work and mission.

“The Centre believes that there is wisdom to be found in such an interaction which can contribute to a vision of hope and the common good for Australia.”

There are six prizes in three categories, and entrants can enter their film in more than one category and can receive more than one prize.

The categories are:

• Spiritus Short Film Prize – Regional Australia Prize (open to entries outside an Australian Capital city). Cost to enter $5
• Spiritus Short Film Prize – School Category (This is open to entries from school students (under 18 years of age) who attend a school in Australia. Cost to enter $10.
• Spiritus Short Film Prize – Open to all. Cost to Enter $20.

The judges award the prizes, but they do not have to award all prizes:

• Regional Australia Prize for entries outside a capital city - $500
• School category (for school students only in Australia) for equipment for school to value of $1000
• Spiritus Short Film Prize - Winner $2000
• Spiritus Short Film Prize - Highly Commended $750
• Spiritus Short Film Prize – Commended $500
• Spiritus Short Film  Prize – People’s Choice $250 (Awarded on the night)

The panel of judges are Ms Genevieve Jacobs, Father Richard Leonard, SJ, Dr James Mairata, and Dr Andrew Pike, OAM.

“The judges provide theological and creative counsel, and represent many decades of experience in media, film, distribution, and directorship,” Professor Pickard said.

“They will assess films on five criteria: high artistic quality, wisdom for the common good, human and planetary flourishing, universal impact, and inventive expression.

“The judges will nominate eight films for The People’s Choice Award from any category, and a film may already be a category prize winner.”

The ACC&C will present a roadshow to screen the shortlisted films at selected Charles Sturt University campuses in August, with more details to be announced later about roadshow screening dates and times.

Winners will be announced in September 2020 in Canberra at the Chapel, Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, and the Award Night will be held during the Canberra Short Film Festival.

The People’s Choice award winner is decided by the attendees to the touring festival at the Charles Sturt campuses and award night in Canberra. Attendees will vote on the night and the winner will be announced in Canberra.

Entries for the Spiritus Short Film Prize opened Monday 3 February and close Tuesday 30 June. More information about the 2020 Spiritus Short Film Prize ‘Conditions and Criteria’ can be found here: http://about.csu.edu.au/spiritus