18/6/2024 Today, at the Disney Headquarters in Hammersmith, the winners of the 15th annual Childnet Film Competition have been announced. The competition is a unique event, showcasing the power of youth voice in online safety education, alongside the creativity of young people.
Sir Donald Bailey Academy in Newark came first in the Primary category of 7-11 year old entrants, with their film “Change your attitude, change the internet”. With clever editing and handmade props, this film reminds us to always treat others with respect and to consider how your behaviour online can make others feel. Finalists in the Primary category also include Moat Farm Junior School and North Allerdale Development Trust.
Lady Eleanor Holles School in Hampton placed first in the Secondary category of 11-18 year old entrants, with their film “Blooming a Better Internet”. Through computerised and hand-drawn animation, this film shares tips on how to be kind on the internet. A flower cleverly reflects how the way people behave online can make somebody feel. Finalists in the Secondary category also include The Sele School and Emanuel School.
The Childnet Film Competition, attracting participants from across the UK, received entries from many talented young people who embraced the challenge of creating short films on the theme of “How would you make the internet a better place?”
Will Gardner OBE, CEO of Childnet and Director of the UK Safer Internet Centre, says:
“A huge congratulations to all winners, finalists and entrants of this year’s competition. Their films will undoubtedly inspire and encourage other schools and young filmmakers to show off their talents and help keep their peers safe with these important online safety messages.”
Jim Filippatos, Vice President of Global Public Policy at Disney and Film Competition Judge, said:
“The Childnet Film Competition shows how powerful young voices can be and reminds us that storytelling can help us all see the world in new ways. At Disney, we’re dedicated to online safety, and these winners did a great job showing how to make the internet a better place.”
The audience at the event includes The Children’s Commissioner, and representatives from government, industry, charities and the wider online safety space.
With more young people entering the competition than ever before, the expert panel of judges faced the difficult task of selecting the winners. For 2024, the Judging panel included experts from BAFTA, the BBC, the British Board of Film Classification, the British Film Institute, Disney, and the Motion Pictures Association, as well as a young person from the Childnet Digital Leaders Programme.
The films are available to watch at childnet.com/film/winners and are a unique and engaging way of learning about online safety from a young person’s perspective.
All of the films are available for teachers to use as a resource in the classroom, but are also suitable for young people to view themselves on Childnet’s website at Childnet.com.
Please contact Becca Cawthorne, Childnet’s Communications and Marketing Manager, by emailing press@childnet.com
About Film Competition
For the past 15 years, the Childnet Film Competition has challenged young filmmakers to create a short film or storyboard in response to a given theme. All entries must contain a positive message and be able to educate other young people. Winning and shortlisted films can be viewed at childnet.com/film/winners
About Childnet
Childnet is a UK-based charity who empower children, young people, and those who support them in their online lives, and its mission is to work with others to make the internet a great and safe place for all children and young people.
Launched in 1995, just two years after the public launch of the open web, Childnet has delivered a positive impact with its empowering, youth led, evidence based and collaborative approach to online safety, and has given children and young people the skills they need to navigate the internet safely and in a positive way.
As one of three charities in the UK Safer Internet Centre, Childnet coordinates Safer Internet Day in the UK, which reaches millions of UK children every year with online safety information about key issues.
