Seditious Intent: Online Short Film Collection
by SI Friday April 21, 2006 at 04:50 PM
si@culture2.org

Seventeen short films - some satirical, some gentle, some funny, some illuminating – from the slick to the raw and edgy, ranging from fiction, faction, animation, claymation, subverts to adverts - they make up the exciting web-based SEDITIOUS INTENT short film collection site.

SEDITIOUS INTENT Short Film Collection

Online now at http://www.spinach7.com/si/

17 short films - some sad, some funny, some gentle, some illuminating – from the slick to the raw and edgy, ranging from fiction, faction, animation, claymation, subverts to adverts - they make up the exciting web-based SEDITIOUS INTENT short film collection site.

The collection is the result of a call to filmmakers across the country to "create a short film (from 30 secs - 5 mins) that responds in some way to the Australian Government’s draconian new anti-terrorism laws”.

When we initiated the project, we knew it wouldn't prevent the anti-terror laws from being implemented. However, 'SEDITIOUS INTENT' is aimed at keeping the discussion alive and enabling filmmakers to participate in actions that provoke debate that leads to change.

We have partnered with EngageMedia*, a group distributing video stories about social justice and environmental issues in Australia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. We are proud to be their first collection.

Background
It all started back in October 2005. The Australian Government wanted to set tough new Anti-Terror laws, which included laws that would affect the expressions of the creative community.

So, we decided to spark a response from the Australian filmmaking community. The first message was sent out on the 31st October 2005.

Back then, sedition was going to be part of the laws and 'seditious intent' was defined as an intention to effect any of the following:

* to bring the Sovereign into hatred or contempt;

* to urge disaffection against the Constitution, the Government of the

Commonwealth or either House of the Parliament;

* to urge another person to attempt, otherwise than by lawful means, to procure a change to any matter established by law in the Commonwealth;

And it seems the lobbying by Australia's creative community has had some impact. The Government has made some amendments to its Anti-Terrorism Bill 2005. Though still highly problematic, sedition must now be linked to the urging of force of violence, in order for it to be a crime. See the web page about terror laws for more details.

* EngageMedia is a website currently in development that aims to provide a distribution platform for independent video productions. It will be a space for critical documentary, fiction, artistic and experimental video works from South East Asia, Australia and the Pacific region focussing on environmental and social issues. Seditious Intent is a taste of what is to come. For seditious intent content check engagemedia.org/seditious-intent .

spinach7.com/si/

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