BFI Launches Second See Yourself On Screen Challenge

The BFI has unveiled their second See Yourself On Screen Challenge (SYOS), calling on young people in the U.K. aged 4 to 18 to create their own idea for a mini TV show.

Winners of the challenge will see their show made with the help of a team of professionals and premiere on national television. Backed by TV personality and star judge Konnie Huq, winners will be paired with a celebrity mentor per channel who will help them bring their idea to life before their short airs on a broadcaster later this year.

The See Yourself On Screen Challenge is led by the BFI through its Young Audiences Content Fund (YACF), which is financed by the U.K. government. Channel 5’s Milkshake!, CITV, E4, S4C and TG4 are supporting as broadcaster partners and will each air the winning entry for their channel. Animation UK, BAFTA Kids, Children’s Media Conference, Into Film and Pact are also backing the challenge.

Seeking to encourage children and young people to engage with television, the See Yourself on Screen Challenge offers them an opportunity to share their ideas for the future of children’s TV. Entrants are asked to submit an initial 30-second video summarizing their idea for a 2-minute mini TV show set 75 years from now. Entrants will be offered digital masterclasses with an experienced figure from the television industry, who will help each finalist turn their idea into reality. The project will then premiere on one of the partner broadcasters in the fall.

The closing date for entries is June 28, and successful shortlisted entrants will be notified by July 14.

Huq said: “We know that television can be a huge asset in helping children and young people explore and learn about the world around them. Not only can it be an invaluable educational asset, it can give them an outlet to express themselves in new and exciting ways, learn new things and develop their sense of citizenship. I’m so excited to be the judge in this challenge, allowing young people to express ideas, tell their stories for the future and see themselves reflected on screen is a beautiful thing.”

Jackie Edwards, head of the BFI Young Audiences Content Fund, said: “Last year’s See Yourself On Screen challenge brought a lot of joy and fun to young audiences during lockdown. We can’t wait to see what brilliant ideas emerge from entrants as they look positively to the future and the sort of television they see for themselves!”