Today, at the Disney Headquarters in Hammersmith, the winners of the 16th annual Childnet Film Competition have been announced.
Judged by a prestigious panel of experts from Bafta, the BBC, BBFC, Disney, and the Motion Picture Association, the competition is a unique event, showcasing the power of youth voice in online safety education, alongside the creativity of young people.
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 “It’s not your fault.” How can we support each other against online scams?
Sandown School in Hastings came first in the Primary category of 7-11 year old entrants, with their film “Stop, Think…”. Based around a news story, this film follows a group of Digital Leaders with a mission to stop others from being scammed online. Through slick editing and sound effects, we are shown ways we can spot the signs of an online scam and support the people around us. Finalists in the Primary category also include Sir Donald Bailey Academy and North Allerdale Development Trust.
St Peter’s Catholic School in Solihull placed first in the Secondary category of 11-18 year old entrants, with their film “This is not your fault “. This film shows the emotional impact of a scam through powerful music and camera shots. We learn how important it is to be there for our friends and to get support if you need it. Finalists in the Secondary category also include Wolverhampton Girls’ High School and Milton Abbey School .
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. The young people taking part have risen to the challenge and created amazing, original and powerful films that can serve to help protect other young people from online scams. These films show off both their creativity and the power of their voice
Charlotte Tudor, VP Marketing Disney & Animation, Walt Disney Studios UK & EMEAand 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 committed to supporting initiatives that help create a more positive and secure digital world, and the finalists do an excellent job of educating and empowering their peers to better protect themselves online.”
The audience at the finalists’ event, held at the Disney Offices in Hammersmith, includes The Children’s Commissioner for England, and representatives from government, industry, charities and the wider online safety space.
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 the Childnet Film Competition
For the past 16 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
This year, the Childnet Film Competition is made possible thanks to kind support from the BBFC, Disney and the MPA.
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.
