Hundreds of schools, classes and youth groups have entered Childnet Film Competition since it was first launched more than a decade ago.
Thousands of young people have enhanced their online safety and filmmaking skills while enjoying a fun, free and inclusive project. For some, it has even helped to shape their lives.
Keith Chirozva was the winner of the Secondary category in 2015. While at Weavers Academy, Keith created a short animation entitled ‘A Better Internet is Up to Us’ which impressed the judging panel. You can watch his fantastic video below.
Here, Keith explains how it felt to win the Film Competition prize - and how that moment helped him secure a university place while unlocking his creative talents…
“Winning was just a blur on the day and I barely remember that moment. It really hit me when I got home and went on the website where I could see my name and my animation there.
“It was my first time doing something that major and something I loved. I had never had the opportunity to do something that meant a lot to me like that, to expand my hobbies to something greater.
“It also opened a lot of doors for me, like university. I literally got into university because I showed them my winning video, so I’m truly grateful for that.
“Not only am I still doing animation now, it’s also allowed me to go into other areas of entertainment like music-making. I’m still expanding and still learning to this day.
“I think it’s important for young people’s voices to be heard. It sounds a bit of a cliché but this is the world they are growing up in so they can relate to it more. If their voices are heard now it allows them to create a better future for themselves.
“Not only does Film Competition encourage young people’s voices to be heard, it encourages young people to have a bit of fun with it. It’s not just an essay or picture about creating a better internet for everyone, it’s in the form of a film and appeals to more people.
“The young people taking part may even unlock a creative side that they never knew they had. That’s what it did for me and I’m still grateful for the opportunity!”