Find out more about the winners of the Film Competition 2026 here
About the competition
Do you know any young people aged 7-18 who are passionate about film? Who can tell a good story, create animations, or are budding actors? Then the Childnet Film Competition is the perfect opportunity for them to use their creativity to inspire change!
The theme for this year’s competition is: Smart tech, safe choices – exploring the safe and responsible use of AI
We want films made by young people that look at the ways that AI can be used to help people, as well as how young people can keep themselves and their peers safe whilst using or encountering AI online. Films could also include information about what young people should do if they are worried or upset when using AI, or by content created with AI.
The films should be up to 2 minutes in length, and focus on the safe and responsible use of AI. We have a range of free resources available to help you to create your award winning film, download these here.
Entries for the 2026 Competition have now closed
Celebrating 17 years of championing youth voice!
Since 2010, thousands of young people aged 7-18 and hundreds of schools and youth organisations across the UK have entered the Childnet Film Competition, creating films to help other young people stay safe online.
Our competition provides a platform for young people to tell their stories and be heard in spaces they can’t usually access. Over the years, schools and youth groups have won cameras, tripods and filmmaking equipment…in short everything young people need to keep making great films!
Want to connect young people with film industry experts?
Finalists will be invited to our awards ceremony in London and in the past have met some of our prestigious judges from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), BBC, the Motion Picture Association and Disney! Find out more about our judges here.
Ready to enter your film? Fill out the submission form and provide a link to where your finished film is hosted (please note: only use this form when you have a film to submit).
The Childnet Film Competition is delivered with support from the Motion Picture Association and Disney.
