Today is the Childnet Film Competition finalists' event! This is where we will be celebrating the amazing work of the competition finalists and announcing who will take 1st, 2nd and 3rd place home in each category!
Now in its eighth year, this national competition invites young people aged 7-16 years to create short films to inspire their peers to use technology safely, responsibly and positively. Harnessing the positive power of digital creativity, the project gives young people an opportunity to take the lead in educating and empowering young people in their school and across the UK. Over 120 entries were received from children and young people right across the UK, and today the 6 winning entries will be showcased at a private screening at the BFI in London attended by industry guests and all of the young filmmakers. The films are all BBFC rated and will be shown on the big screen before the winners are announced and prizes awarded.
The finalists
So who are our finalists and what are their films about?
Denbigh Primary (Bedfordshire) ‘Be The Change’
Using the cut out animation techniques, this short animation sets out to remind us of the importance of online safety in our modern world and how we all need to act responsibly and be the change.
Fairfields Primary School and Nursery (Hertfordshire) ‘Be the change – it’s up to you!’
This film demonstrates the importance of being an upstander and taking action if you see or know about a friend being cyberbullied. Making a positive difference is something we can all do.
St Michael in the Hamlet Community Primary School’ (Merseyside) ‘Be the Change – It starts with us’
Clara is feeling pressurised to use an unsuitable app. Luckily a team of superheroes step in to help out and share a very important message to us all!
Holy Trinity College (County Tyrone, Northern Ireland) ‘We Were Lucky’
When two friends discover that someone they have been chatting to online isn’t who they thought, they decide to take action to warn others to not make the same mistake. A short drama demonstrating how a tricky online situation can be turned around to help others.
Dover College (Kent) ‘Trouser Boy’
A cautionary tale about the speed in which an image can be shared and the impact it can have. Highlighting the fact that we need to think before we send and that we are all responsible for the images we have and what we do with them. This film asks how we can use technology for good and depicts how we can prevent online negativity.
St Bernard’s High School (Cumbria) ‘St Bernard’s News Flash’
Told through a series of interviews, this uplifting ‘live news’ report focuses entirely on positive use of the internet and how it can be used to help people in crisis.
The prizes
As well as their films being used as educational resources around the UK, there are some great prizes up for grabs for the winning schools!
1st place– Cannon Camera, tripod, filmmaking book, SD card, microphone, camera case, clapperboard
2nd place– Cannon Camera, Tripod, SD card, camera case, clapperboard
3rd place - Cannon Camera, SD card, clapperboard
To keep up to date with the Film Competition news follow us on social media @Childnet and follow the hashtag #FilmComp17