Entries for the Childnet Film Competition close on Monday 22nd June, so with one month left to enter we look at some of the key things to know, including a sneak peek at this year’s judging panel!
For the last 11 years we have invited all UK young people to enter the annual Childnet Film Competition, and this year we are asking young people to take on the challenge of creating a short film to inspire their peers to stay safe online and make their future internet a great and safe place to be.
The young people’s entries will be evaluated by our expert judging panel, who will be looking out for films which are creative, inspiring, encompass the theme and which have a clear and positive online safety message.
Who are the judges?
Our expert panel of judges will make the tough decisions of who is taking home 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the Childnet Film Competition!
The Film Competition judges are experts from a range of exciting organisations in the film and TV industry, find out more about our judges!
David Austin OBE, Chief Executive, British Board of Film Classification
FUN FACT: You see David’s signature every time you go to the cinema in the UK.
David says:
I’m delighted that the Childnet film competition is back this year, as it’s so important in the current times to give children fun, educational activities to get involved in. You don’t need expensive or fancy equipment to enter the competition, this year it’s more about the story, your creative thinking and the message. I’m very much looking forward to judging once again, and seeing everyone’s interpretations.
Catherine McAllister, Head of Editorial Standards, BBC Children’s
FUN FACT: Catherine cannot pick her favourite Film Competition entry of all time. She just had to say ‘all of them’.
Catherine’s advice for parents this competition is:
Let your child’s imagination run wild! I think the best films we’ve seen are the ones where the children had a clear idea of what they wanted to do and then were able to deliver it without too much influence from grown ups!
Stan McCoy, President and Managing Director, Motion Picture Association
FUN FACT: Stan’s favourite family film of all time is The Wizard of Oz
Stan Says:
Teamwork plus vision makes a great film. Moviemaking is a quest by a team of hundreds or even thousands of people, and businesses large and small, to fulfill the artistic vision of the writer and the director.
Amy Phillips – Vice President of Corporate Communications and CSR, DISNEY
FUN FACT: Amy began her career at the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.
Lisa Prime – Children’s Events Programmer, BAFTA
FUN FACT: Lisa’s favourite piece of tech during lockdown is video calls
Lisa’s top tip for entrants is:
Make the best of what you have available. I love to see innovative and original ways of telling stories and simple can be good. I’m delighted to see the introduction of a storyboard competition. Your idea is everything and then being able to tell that story in an entertaining and engaging way is what everybody strives for across film, games and TV.
Mark Reid – Education, British Film Institute
Fun fact: Mark taught Media, English and Film in the UK and now gets to work with people all over the world, including teachers in Greece.
Marks top tip for entrants is:
Find a way of saying something distinctive using the tools that are available to you – strong images, clear sound, good structure, and be as short as you can – you can always lose seconds of a shot, and a film will be better for it.
How to enter the Film Competition
- Select the category below that you wish to enter. Whether that is the solo category, group category, or storyboard category.
- Download the competition pack which contains everything you will need, including competition packs and film making advice.
- Start getting creative, plan and make your film or map out your storyboard.
- Submit your entry and all consent forms to film@childnet.com by 5pm on Monday 22nd June. You will be able to email us entry forms, storyboards and scripts but for films we would recommend using sites like WeTransfer or Dropbox to share them with us. Further details for submitting film or storyboard entries can be found within the packs or on the FAQs page.
PLEASE NOTE:
We are only accepting entries online and not via post due to staff working remotely.
Films and storyboards which best fit with this theme will be shortlisted.
If you have any further questions about the competition visit our FAQ page.
