Austin Public Works' Safe Routes to School Program invites all 7^th and 8^th grade Austinites to showcase their talent in the first annual Lights, Camera, Safety PSA (Public Service Announcement) Contest. To enter, students create a short film that promotes ways to be safe while walking and biking.
 
Winners will receive Alamo Drafthouse gift cards, and their videos will be shown in middle schools across Austin. Videos can be in any format – so whether you’re an animation whiz or a BMX pro, what you do is up to you! Be sure to visit the Lights, Camera, Safety website to learn important rules. Submissions are open from March 10 to March 30. Winners of the competition will be announced May 20, 2020.
 
Safe Routes to School Engagement Coordinator Sahiti Karempudi envisioned the Lights, Camera, Safety PSA contest as a way to echo the creative culture that is so quintessential to Austin. For nearly thirty years, Safe Routes to School's Education Team has been providing safety lessons to Austin students. Karempudi says, “We want to give young filmmakers a platform to use their creativity for a good cause. We also want students to build on the lessons they learned from our program in elementary school to teach their peers about walking and biking safely.” 
 
The Safe Routes to School Program provides and trains crossing guards, teaches students how to walk and bicycle more safely, and partners with communities to improve students’ routes to school. Learn more on the Safe Routes to School Program website.
 
Contact SafeRoutestoSchool@AustinTexas.gov for more information about the Lights, Camera, Safety PSA competition.