Entries for the Childnet Film Competition close on Monday 10th June, so with less than 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 10 years we have invited all UK schools and youth organisations 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?
On the 2nd of July our expert panel of judges will meet to make the tough decisions of who is taking home 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the primary and secondary categories of the Childnet Film Competition!
‘The competition never fails to deliver a very diverse and creative array of short films.’ David Austin, BBFC CEO
The Film Competition judges are experts from a range of exciting organisations in the film and TV industry, find out more about our judges in these Q+As!
- Catherine McAllister – Lead for online safety and Head of Safeguarding in the Children’s department, BBC. It is Catherine’s 3rd year as a judge, and says the competition is the highlight of her year!
- David Austin OBE – Chief Executive for the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is the longest serving judge, he has been on the panel since the very first year of the Childnet Film Competition.
- Joanna van der Meer – Film Tutor and Family Learning Programmer, British Film Institute (BFI) This is Jo’s 8th year as a Film Competition judge, she says that this year she will be looking for films with messages that are clearly and strongly delivered.
- Lisa Prime – Children’s Events Programmer at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Lisa is the latest addition to the judging panel, with this year being her second as a film competition judge.
Find out more about our judges.
Finalists’ event
Once all the entries are in we will shortlist the three top films from each of the categories. The three selected finalists from both the primary and secondary age category will be invited to a private screening at London’s British Film Institute (BFI) where they will be presented with great prizes for their school or youth organisation to award them for their creative achievements!
The Childnet Film Competition finalists’ event is a great opportunity for our finalists to meet each other, watch their films on the big screen at the BFI in London and find out where they have placed in the competition!
This year’s finalists’ event will take place on Tuesday 2nd July 2019 at the BFI in London and will include a private screening of all the films to the finalists and industry guests.
How can I get involved?
The competition is open to schools or youth groups who work with young people aged 7-18. You can find out all the information you need to enter by visiting the Film Competition page on the Childnet website and downloading the entry pack for primary or the entry pack for secondary.
On these pages you can find supporting resources such as top tips, FAQs, copyright information as well as last year’s winning films for inspiration.
Important dates
· Competition closes: Monday 10th June 2019
· Finalists revealed: Wednesday 19th June 2019
· Finalists’ event: Tuesday 2nd July 2019
Important reminder – Teachers and youth leaders MUST oversee and submit entries on behalf of all participants with completed media consent forms included.
