JOSHUA Murdoch is taking a stand for anyone who has suffered from cyberbullying.
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The year 10 Castlemaine Secondary College student has amassed more than 400 votes in the government-supported film competition Back Me Up, which aims to eliminate cyberbullying.
The directors of the top 10-voted films will be invited to a week-long film-making course at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney.
His short film Stand Up! Don’t Stand Down is currently in the top five in the “people’s choice”, with entries closing on August 15.
The 15-year-old said he had been a victim of cyberbullying and he wanted other victims to know there was support available.
“People need to understand they’re not alone and there is help to overcome the fear associated with cyberbullying,” he said.
A quarter of Australian children report that they have been cyberbullied.
“I always stand up for everyone, even if I’m not good friends with them,” Joshua said.
“If I see it happening I’ll stand up for them and help them find the resources they need.”
Joshua is a VCE media student and wants to pursue a career in film. “I like it because I can bring things to life,” he said.
“I can make anything I want into a film.”
He said the opportunity to go NIDA would be hugely valuable.
“It’d be a very big experience for me. It’s one of my dreams to go to NIDA and it’d be wonderful.”
People can view and vote for Joshua’s video at www.backmeup.somethingincommon.gov.au/entry/64
