BFI Unveils See Yourself On Screen Challenge Winners

Through its Young Audiences Content Fund (YACF), the BFI has revealed the winners of the See Yourself on Screen Challenge.

A U.K.-wide competition for 4- to 18-year-olds, the See Yourself on Screen Challenge was launched by doctor and TV presenter Dr. Ranj Singh last month. Fifteen winners have received virtual masterclasses from mentors including Rob Delaney, Reggie Yates, Harry Hill, Konnie Huq, Matthew Lewis and Jessica Hynes. Further, the winning TV shows will soon premiere on national TV across Channel 5’s Milkshake!, CITV, E4, S4C (Welsh language) and TG4 (Irish language).

Supported by Animation UK, BAFTA Kids, film education charity Into Film, The Children’s Media Conference, Pact and Northern Ireland Screen, the initiative called on young people across the U.K. to create and star in their own mini-TV show, reflecting their lives amid the COVID-19 lockdown. Hundreds of young people sent in 30-second video pitches, with a panel of industry judges choosing 15 overall winners.

Among the winners in the 4 to 7 category and airing on Milkshake! is Squeaks and Wheeks, a guide to owning and caring for guinea pigs created by 4-year-old Betsy, who was mentored by Jessica Hynes (Paddington 2). Home But Not Alone, a poetry monologue that addresses the highs and lows of lockdown made by 7-year-old Joshua, who was mentored by Matthew Lewis (Harry Potter); and Sophia and Luisa’s Cookie Kitchen, an instructional cooking show created by 6-year-old identical twins Sophia and Luisa, who were mentored by Konnie Huq, round out the category.

Kyle & Sam’s Allotment Lockdown, a guide to gardening, planting and growing your own food from 9-year-old Kyle and his younger brother Sam, who were mentored by Rob Delaney (Catastrophe); What are you really missing?, a character comedy sketch show about missing your families in lockdown from 10-year-old Ruby, mentored Harry Hill; and When Kids Rule, Parents Drool, a game show that puts parents in the hot seat from 10-year-old Josiah, mentored by Head of BBC Children’s Content Cheryl Taylor, won in the 8 to 13 category and will air on CITV.

Sixteen-year-old Sameera’s Lock-DIY-Down, a comic depiction of a lockdown DIY project, is among the projects targeting 14- to 18-year-olds that will air on E4. She was mentored by Robert Popper (Friday Night Dinner). The two other category winners are The Guide To A Fun Lockdown, a creative animation that follows the life of a teenager in lockdown from 17-year-old Harvey from East Sussex, mentored by Amelia Dimoldenberg; and Charlie, a short character documentary that portrays the struggles of being a transgender teenager, created by 14-year-old Holl, mentored by Reggie Yates.

Selected titles in Welsh language aimed at kids 8 to 13 and set to air on S4C are 12-year-old Ianto’s Pethau Cwl, which looks at how to use special effects for various hobbies and school projects; 10-year-old Osian’s Bachgen yn erbyn Natur, which sees a young boy take on the world of nature setting himself challenges and physical goals; and 9-year-old Elan’s Lolian efo Elan, a film full of fun and clever tricks that everyone can try at home. Selected titles in Irish language aimed at kids 8 to 17 and set to air on TG4 are 11-year-old Róise’s comedy Tóraíocht na Scáileán (Screen Hunt); 13-year-old Lucy’s play-along show Ag déileáil le Covid (Dealing with Covid); and 16-year-old Ciarán’s Damhsa tríd an dianghlasú (Dance in intense lockdown), about how the creator learned the skill of Irish dancing online during the coronavirus lockdown.

The two-minute-long mini-TV shows for 4- to 7-year-olds (Milkshake!) and 8- to 13-year-olds (CITV) will air between July 8 and 10, with indigenous language winners airing in Welsh (S4C) and Irish (TG4), and 14- to 18-year-olds (E4) slated to air on July 13.

Jackie Edwards, head of the BFI’s Young Audiences Content Fund, said: “We launched the See Yourself on Screen Challenge as a way of giving a platform to young people from across the U.K., whose lives have changed significantly during the COVID-19 lockdown, and we were utterly thrilled to receive so many brilliant pitches. The Young Audiences Content Fund exists to bring quality content which entertains and reflects young people from all over the U.K., and this challenge has enabled them to tell their own stories on screen and, excitingly, have it aired on national television; it’s a real celebration of the creativity of our young people for everyone to enjoy.

“This challenge was also a great chance for our industry colleagues who care about great public service broadcast to join hands with young people and do something supremely positive for young audiences all over the U.K. for whom television has taken on an even more significant role in their lives during lockdown.”