The HSE in partnership with the Department of Health and Children, Age Action, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Carer's Association, Garda Siochana, and Active Retirement Ireland has established a committee which is working to highlight the issue of elder abuse and promoting the availability of support and services to people who need them. 

One of the key projects to raise awareness of Elder Abuse is the Open Your Eyes To Elder Abuse short film competition. The competition has two categories:

1. Full time education category open to second and third level students and
2. General public category, open to any group or individual

Each category has a 1^st prize of 1,000; 2^nd prize of 500 and 3^rd prize of 250.

A full list of the rules, judging criteria, tems & conditions and entry details are available here ; entries have to conform to the entry rules and must be submitted by e-mail to openyoureyes@hse.ie  

The film has to be at least 30 seconds long but not longer than 60 seconds and it will be judged on the following criteria:

Judging Criteria

• How effective is the short film at incorporating the theme of highlighting Elder Abuse?
• Accuracy: is the film based on accurate facts and information?
• Creativity and originality: how unique and innovative are the ideas presented in the short film?
• Production quality: is the film well produced? Are the images crisp and dialogue (if any) clear?
• Appropriateness: is the short film appropriate to be placed on the HSE website and the websites of Age Action, Carers Association, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland etc.

The entries will be judged by a panel of five people including George Hook, Broadcaster; Noel Mulvihill HSE National Lead for Older Persons;  Emer Begley, Age Action; John Ingram, Animo Communications, a leading and award winning Irish video and television production company and Sarah O’Callaghan, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

If you have any queries please e-mail them to openyoureyes@hse.ie

You may find it useful to view the tutorial video on how to upload videos on to YouTube or you can read the tutorial guide.