We are delighted to introduce you to the judges of the 2024 Childnet Film Competition. Click below to find out what each of our judges are looking for in a winning film, as well as their top tips for filmmakers.
Lisa Prime, Head of Children & Young People’s Programme, BAFTA
Lisa heads up BAFTA’s programme for children and young people, overseeing events, content and initiatives for under 18s. The focus of Young BAFTA is the importance of creativity in supporting mental wellbeing and self expression; the development of transferable skills; highlighting different roles and careers across film, games and television. She is also responsible for initiatives and competitions which identify and support young talent: BAFTA Young Game Designers and Young Presenters.
It’s tough to be original but I’d still like to see something that surprises me – in a good way! Most importantly, it needs to be honest and from an authentic perspective so the audience can relate to the film.
Work collaboratively and be prepared to listen if someone has a different creative vision to you. I also think planning is crucial so storyboard your film to make sure each shot counts and there’s a reason for including it in the final edit.
More a coming-of-age film but I really enjoyed Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (PG). I hadn’t read the Judy Blume novel it’s based on but it’s funny, warm, painfully awkward and surprisingly thought provoking. The young cast members are superb although Kathy Bates steals the show as Grandma.
David Austin, Chief Executive, BBFC
I am the Chief Executive of the British Board of Film Classification, known as the BBFC. We have been classifying content for 112 years, and continue to be responsible for providing age ratings and content advice for films you see at the cinema, DVD and Blu-ray content and we also work with over 30 streaming platforms. You may have spotted our iconic Black Card on screen at the cinema before a film, with the film’s age rating – that’s us
I lead a brilliant team of expert Compliance Officers, these are the people who view all the content and determine the appropriate age rating based on our published Classification Guidelines.
As the Chief Executive, I sit on the BBFC Board as one of the four Statutory Classifiers, who are designated by the Government to collectively classify films and series under UK law. This means that I will sometimes view films that need my decision for the age rating. I also manage our very important relationships with the film industry, policy makers in Government and our charity partners such as Childnet.
This year, I’ll be looking for innovative films that really showcase this year’s theme in an interesting and engaging format – films that hold the attention of its audience will always be memorable. Every year the standard of entries to the Childnet Film Competition increases, setting the bar even higher. I’m excited to see this year’s entries, although picking the winners is always a challenging job!
I would encourage all budding filmmakers to think carefully about the message they wish to convey to their audience. I’d advise all entrants to allow their creativity to flourish so that they can create a film that sparks a feeling in audience members. This can be achieved with a great script, slick editing techniques, or some brilliant acting — the options are endless.
It is incredibly tricky to pick a favourite from all of the fantastic children’s films that were released in 2023. However, I must say that I enjoyed Puss In Boots: The Last Wish, as we held our famous Create the Card competition for the film and it was a real joy to see all of the talented Black Card entries bringing the film and characters to life
Jessica Schibli, Head of Creative Diversity, BBC
Jessica heads up Creative Diversity at the BBC. She is responsible for overseeing on-air / on-screen and off-air / off-screen diversity and inclusion strategies across content; supporting the commissioning teams and independent production partners to drive change, increase representation and ensure the BBC delivers against its strategic goals and public purpose. Having led Diversity & Inclusion for BBC Children’s & Education previously, Jessica is a passionate advocate for the impact of representation through media.
I’m very much looking forward to seeing this year’s entries and I feel privileged to be joining the judging panel this year to support and encourage a new generation of filmmakers.
I will be looking for films bursting with originality and creativity, that inspire and make the audience reflect.
Authenticity and being true to yourself is key. Find your voice. Tell your story.
My favourite film from 2023 was a short animated film called “Zagazoo” as part of the Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures collection. It was a delight to watch, relatable and captivating for the whole family – adults as well as my own ‘Zagazoo’ at home! And with a beautiful heart-warming ending, it was an enchanting film that stayed with me.
Jeremy – Childnet Digital Champion
Hello, my name is Jeremy, and I am from Italy, the second most romantic place on earth. I am a Digital Champion at Childnet, where we aim to help both young adults and adults understand the safety of entering the online world and how to prevent potential harm. We offer advice to people who are facing difficulties online and provide them with suitable solutions. Although this is my first year as a Digital Champion, I believe there is more to learn, and I am excited to explore further. The best part of being a Digital Champion was when I was delivering a breakout session about AI at the BT Tower.
In these films, I will be examining three important aspects: how entertaining they are, how much of an impact they have on the audience, and how well they relate to the given theme. By analysing these factors, I hope to provide helpful reviews that can assist viewers in making films.
My top tip is for all the filmmakers to review your film multiple times to catch any errors or omissions. This is critical to maintaining the integrity and quality of your work and establishing yourself as a professional filmmaker.
My favourite children’s movie from 2023 is Craters by Disney because it has a lot of sci-fi and a bit of action too, which I truly love. Plus, it features children in space, isn’t that just incredibly cool!
Jim Filippatos, Vice President of Global Public Policy, Disney
I am Vice President for Global Public Policy at The Walt Disney Company where I develop and direct strategic international public policy initiatives across the company. My focus is on media and Internet policy, human rights, children’s issues, support for creative economies and business entry and expansion in developing markets, among other areas.
This year’s theme of making the internet a better place is really critical for young people, especially given increasing rates of cyberbullying. I’ll be looking in particular for films that communicate essential messages about what we can each do to advance healthy online interactions in a clear and memorable way.
As a practical matter, developing, producing and distributing a film is not a job for one person – it requires a team of people with a wide range of skills and experiences collaborating toward a shared goal and vision. Beyond the practicalities, different perspectives spur innovation and encourage risk taking, which leads to better stories.
I love the Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire (“kizazi cha moto”=”generation of fire” in Kiswahili) anthology on Disney+. These 10 action-packed short animated films are each very personal, created by leading directors from Zimbabwe, Uganda, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Egypt. The films draw beautifully on Africa’s rich and diverse history and cultures and are great if you love sci-fi and fantasy – but there is something for everybody. Really cool new worlds with advanced technology, aliens, spirits, and monsters. A lot of fun!
Stan McCoy President and Managing Director of Motion Pictures Association (MPA) – EMEA
As President and Managing Director of the MPA EMEA for the past decade, I consider it a privilege to advocate for policies supporting job creation, economic growth, and cultural enrichment within the vibrant creative sector. I enjoy working with our members Disney, NBC Universal, Netflix, Paramount, Warner Bros Discovery and Sony Pictures Entertainment to safeguard intellectual property and copyrights, champion the rights of creators and their business partners, and support innovation, creativity, and safety in today’s dynamic digital marketplace.
The theme “How would you make the internet a better place?” provides a great opportunity for creative exploration. I’m interested in a storyline that examines different aspects of the online world, and how to make that world both richer and safer for young people. Within that theme, there is room to explore lots of angles, such as promoting diversity and inclusion, or addressing cyberbullying and harassment. I hope the participants will also think about not only how we can fight bad things, but also about how we can promote the flourishing of great new online content by respecting and supporting creativity.
You have fresh eyes. Help other people see the world with your fresh eyes. Craft stories that reflect your unique perspective, channeling your passion and ideas into something that distinctly showcases your voice. Many compelling, entertaining and educational films come from finding original, fresh takes on real-life issues. A clear example of this approach is the 2023 film Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig. Beyond its surface appeal, Barbie distinguishes itself by delving into a deeper and more meaningful story, drawing on an outstanding cast and the director’s dynamic, vivid, and energetic vision. I especially loved the character of Weird Barbie, who reminds us that we all have an eccentric side we can tap into when we need it.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie. We went to see it in the cinema as a family and had a fantastic time. I played the original Donkey Kong arcade game as a kid in the 1980s, and today my two boys still play Mario Bros games. So we were destined to love a film that builds a great story around those characters. “To the Mushroom Kingdom and the biggest fight of our lives! Here… we… go!”