FOCUS FILM SCHOOL
The 2025 Competition has now closed
The National Young Persons' Digital Media Awards is a video competition for
UK schools, colleges, youth groups and organisations. The winning video will receive the NYPDMA trophy and a one-day filmmaking workshop, led by an award winning filmmaker, using Netflix approved, professional filmmaking equipment. The 'Audience Choice' winning video will receive a £100 voucher.
Entry is FREE and the Deadline is Friday, the 28th February 2025.
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At Focus Film School we believe Digital Media has the capacity to connect people. The annual awards provide an opportunity for young people to engage with themes and topics which unite us. Through a shared theme, we hope young people will gain additional insight into the many facets which
connect us.
“Alone we can do do so little; together we can do so much.”
Helen Keller
This year's theme is COLLABORATION. The competition is for those aged 5 to 19 (at time of submission). As participants your task is to create a 1 minute video, inspired by the theme of 'Collaboration'. Consider the different ways in which collaboration takes place, the challenges, impact and value of collaboration. It is FREE to ENTER, with up to 5 entries per school, college, youth group or organisation. How you interpret the theme is up to you. Be bold. Be creative. And of course be safe. Through the range of videos and behind-the-scenes content submitted and shared, these Awards aim to provide young audiences with a fascinating insight into the many ways we can collaborate. And we hope the Awards will be a source of inspiration to everyone.
“If I have seen further it is by standing on
the shoulders of giants.”
Isaac Newton
“Collaborate with people you can
learn from.”
Pharrell Williams
“Our method was to develop integrated products, and that meant our process had to be integrated and collaborative”
Steve Jobs
How To Enter Your Video
Download the NYPDM Awards pack which contains: Information sheet, poster, logos, release form.
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Videos should be submitted by a parent, guardian, teacher or other responsible adult on behalf of a young person or group of young people. Deadline: 28th February 2025.
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Please submit each competition entry separately, this ensures we have the correct information for each video. Use the SUBMIT button above to upload your work and entry details.
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Please make sure you ask a parent or guardian to complete the entrant details part of the form if you are aged 17 or under.
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Prizes​​
Overall Winning Video x 1
​* ‘The National Young Persons' Digital Media Awards 2025’ trophy
* One day filmmaking workshop, including a professional filmmaker, using professional filmmaking equipment at your school, college, youth group or organisation
* 'National Young Persons' Digital Media Awards 2025 Winner’ Certificate
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Audience Choice Award Video x 1
​* £100 gift voucher x 1
* 'National Young Persons' Digital Media Awards 2025 Audience Award’ Certificate
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Shortlist Videos x 18
​* ‘National Young Persons' Digital Media Awards 2025 Shortlist’ Certificate
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The prizes/awards will be issued to the school, college, youth group or organisation of the winning videos.
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Timeline
March 2025 - A shortlist of 20 videos to be selected. These videos will be put to a public vote. The video with the most votes will win the 'Audience Choice Award'. The school, college, youth group or organisation who submitted the video will win the 'Audience Choice Award' - a £100 voucher and certificate.
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April 2025 - Judges will select the overall winning video from the shortlist. The winning video, as selected by the Judges, will be our overall winner for the 'National Young Persons' Digital Media Awards 2025'. The school, college, youth group or organisation, who submitted the video, thereby will win the filmmaking workshop (to be delivered on-site at your location), trophy and certificate.
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Eligibility and Suitability of Content
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The competition is open to schools, colleges, youth groups and organisations in the UK.
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In order to qualify for the competition, content must be inspired by the theme of ‘collaboration’.
Content must be suitable for all ages.​ Owing to the nature of the awards and the intended audience, content which is not suitable for all ages will not be eligible for inclusion. We feature a variety of content submitted by young filmmakers on our website and Youtube channel for the enjoyment of other young viewers.
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Do not use any content, brands or artwork protected under copyright, for which you do not have permission to use (such as copyright music, logos).
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The video should not include the surnames of individuals aged 17 or younger. The National Young Persons' Digital Media Awards and Focus Film School prioritise the protection and safety of young people, and including surnames in your content can jeopardise this commitment.
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Video duration must be no longer than 60 seconds.
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Judging
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Remember the theme is 'Collaboration'. Whilst technical skills are important, what really matters are your ideas. Judges will consider several criteria when selecting the shortlist and winning video:
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Concept: Your ideas are unique and are expressed clearly to the audience.
Story: Your content engages the audience and grabs their interest.
Image: You have considered how the camera is used and how it supports the story and overall impact.
Sound: Use of audio is effective and enhances audience experience.
Theme: Judges will reflect upon how you have explored this year's theme of 'Collaboration'.​
Context: There can be many factors which impact upon young people's ability to engage with and produce Digital Media. This may include access to resources, barriers to learning, behaviours which challenge. In your submission you can add additional information which you feel is relevant.
Health and Safety
All planning, production and post-production should be carried out in a safe manner, ensuring all involved are safe at all times. All contributors should discuss their project with a responsible adult prior to principle videography / filming, ensuring a risk assessment has been conducted with appropriate safety measures put in place and observed to ensure health and safety are preserved throughout production.
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The Judges
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Diego Barraza - Award Winning Director / Producer, Member of Directors UK, Founder Production Company SaGuarda Studios
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Adam Frost - Founder and Director of Sussex Media Group, Technology Journalist and Award Winning Media Lecturer
Clive Martin, BA Hons, PGCE - Lead Practitioner at Focus Film School and Award Winning Filmmaker
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Permission
By submitting your digital media content to the National Young Persons' Digital Media Awards, you give permission for National Young Persons' Digital Media Awards and Focus Film School to use and share your content as part of our on-going commitment to encourage and promote digital media and filmmaking.
Your Digital Media may be shared with contributors of the competition (e.g. other schools), online and as part of media events/festivals to promote young people and Digital Media . Your content may be used or not, in whole or part, such as a part of trailer or teaser reel.
You will be credited (first names) as the creators of the work submitted by you, including the name of your school, college, youth group or organisation. You remain the owner(s) of the work, which means National Young Persons' Digital Media Awards and/or Focus Film School can not sell your work.​​​​​​​
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Safeguarding
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The 'National Young Persons' Digital Media Awards' is part of Focus Film School. All staff and Judges have undergone a criminal records check and have DBS clearance (Disclosure and Barring Service, formerly Criminal Records Bureau or CRB). ​At Focus Film School we provide a safe environment and culture where all are welcome and everyone feels able to speak out about safeguarding concerns.​ Further details of our Safeguarding policy can be found here.
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Sponsors
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We are proud to partner with SaGuarda Studios and Sussex Media Group. Leading companies in their fields, both bring a range of skills, knowledge and experience to our awards. The supports of our sponsors helps us to reach out and connect to a national audience. Big thanks to SaGuarda Studios and Sussex Media Group!
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“One finger cannot lift a pebble.”
Hopi proverb
“We help each other in the same boat and move forward hand in hand. Cooperation will let us usher in new development together.”
Chinese Proverb
"We must learn to live together as brothers — or perish together as fools."
Dr Martin Luther King Jr
A national award to showcase the digital media work of young people.