Skills 4 All finds success with award winning online safety film at the 2026 Childnet Film Competition
- STEVE COOKE AATA
- 3 minutes ago
- 3 min read
By Steve Cooke
Skills 4 All in Rochdale has secured 2nd place in the Secondary Category at the 17th annual Childnet Film Competition.
This impressive achievement highlights the students' exceptional filmmaking talents and their strong commitment to promoting Visit: online safety for young people.
Judged by a prestigious panel of experts from the BBC, BBFC, Disney, the Motion Picture Association, as well as young people, the competition is a unique event, showcasing the power of youth voice in online safety education.
The Childnet Film Competition attracted participants from all nations of the UK who embraced the challenge of creating short films on the theme of “Smart tech, safe choices – exploring the safe and responsible use of AI”.
Set in a dystopian Manchester, Skills 4 All’s film creatively shows us a reality where we use AI to complete all of our everyday tasks. We are shown how this version of our world could affect us negatively and cause a great deal of change to our society.
The Film impressed the judging panel with its distinctive approach, engaging content, and thoughtful delivery. By combining creativity with a vital and timely message, the students created an impactful online safety film for young people across the country.
All winning films receive excellent filmmaking equipment, as well as their films receiving BBFC Classification, which allows them to be played in cinemas across the UK.
Will Gardner OBE, CEO of Childnet and Director of the UK Safer Internet Centre, says:
“The Childnet Film Competition has shown yet again the real impact that creativity can play in online safety education. These films not only showcase the young people’s filmmaking skills, but also show the power of their voice in creating high quality learning materials.
Safer Internet Day 2026 found that almost all (97%) children and young people of all ages from 8 to 17 have used AI in some form, with many using AI online on a weekly, and even daily, basis. With this in mind, educating young people about the safe and responsible use of AI has never been more important, and seeing the amazing creations from all of our finalists and entrants showcases just how effectively film can play a part in this.”
Charlotte Tudor, VP Marketing Disney & Animation, Walt Disney Studios UK & EMEA and Film Competition Judge, said:
“We are proud to have partnered with Childnet for another year to support their work helping young people build knowledge, confidence and skills in the digital world.
“The responsible use of AI is something Disney continues to advocate for, and is crucial to ensuring a safe and positive online experience. It’s inspiring to see how our young finalists have used their creativity and storytelling skills to share understanding and shape conversations around this complex and increasingly important topic.”
The audience at the finalists’ event, held at Disney in Hammersmith, included representatives from government, industry, charities and the wider online safety space.
The winning films are a unique and engaging way of learning about online safety from a young person’s perspective.
About the Childnet Film Competition
For the past 17 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. More information about the winning and shortlisted films can be found 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.
