Screen It 2009 Principal Sponsor, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, today participated in the presentation of awards to competition winners from primary and secondary schools around Australia, at a ceremony held at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI).

The Screen It competition offers awards for student entries in three categories; live action film, computer game and animation. In 2009, 500 primary and secondary school students around the country participated.

‘We are proud to be associated with the Screen It awards. Using this year’s theme, ‘Cybersmart: Constructing online and personal identity’, the students have produced films that are well considered, creative interpretations of their online experiences,’ said Chris Chapman, Chairman of the ACMA.

‘Screen It 2009 has provided an excellent opportunity for the ACMA to communicate important cybersafety messages with participating students and their teachers. Using the theme as a basis they have engaged with topics such as:, what it means to be a cybercitizen, engaging with online communities, conflict online and protecting personal information.’

‘Many of the 172 films entered have a strong cybersafety focus with cyberbullying a recurring theme. showing just how serious this issue is for our children and young people,’ he said.

In early 2010, a selection of the Screen It entries will be posted on the cybersmart.gov.au website, highlighting a range of cybersafety issues including cyberbullying.

‘The Screen It videos will add a fresh, perspective to the Cybersmart program, conveying messages in the students’ own voices. We expect that the films will have great appeal to other young Australians, encouraging them to think about what it means to be a cyber citizen in today’s world,’ Mr Chapman said.