Students from Skills 4 All in Rochdale have won second place in the secondary category of the 2026 Childnet Film Competition with a film exploring the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence.
The awards were announced at Disney headquarters in Hammersmith as part of the 17th annual Childnet Film Competition, which challenges young people from across the UK to create short films promoting online safety.
This year’s theme was “Smart tech, safe choices exploring the safe and responsible use of AI.”
Skills 4 All’s entry is set in a dystopian version of Manchester where artificial intelligence carries out everyday tasks. The film explores how over reliance on AI could affect people and society, encouraging viewers to think carefully about using the technology responsibly.
The judging panel, made up of representatives from the BBC, the British Board of Film Classification, Disney, the Motion Picture Association and young people, praised the entry for its creativity, engaging storytelling and thought provoking message.
As runners up in the secondary category, the Rochdale students will receive professional film making equipment. Their film will also receive a BBFC classification, allowing it to be screened in cinemas across the UK.
Will Gardner OBE, chief executive of Childnet and director of the UK Safer Internet Centre, said, “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% of 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, vice president of marketing for Disney and Animation at Walt Disney Studios UK and EMEA, 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 finalists’ event was attended by representatives from government, industry, charities and organisations involved in online safety.
The Childnet Film Competition has been running for 17 years and encourages young people to create films with positive messages that help educate others about staying safe online.
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