The 2011 Melbourne Writers Festival begins on 25 August, and there are two competitions running in the lead-up to the festival for both filmmakers and bloggers.

The festival is seeking five bloggers who like to write about books, reading and writing, to post on their own blogs about various events at the festival. They will need to attend a minimum of ten events during the festival and post at least eight festival-related blog posts during that time.

The bloggers will get a pass to the festival and their writing will be promoted through the festival’s various networks including on their website.

To enter, write a 300-500 word sample blog on the theme of ‘Stories Unbound’. Details of how to enter and conditions of entry are available here. Entries close on 22 July.

The festival is also running a contest for aspiring short-film makers based on the ‘Stories Unbound’ theme. Fun films of 20 to 30 seconds are required, in visual mediums including film or flash animation.

The best short film will be featured in Federation Square during the festival, and the winner will receive a festival pass and a book package worth $250.

Full entry details are available here. Entries close on 19 August.