Into Film Awards 2020: The Winners

We're delighted that the winners of the 2020 Into Film Awards were announced today as part of a virtual ceremony, hosted by David Walliams. The awards honoured and recognised the talent and hard work of young filmmakers, schools and film enthusiasts from across the UK. You can watch the entire ceremony (27mins) at the top of this page.

The Into Film Awards, which celebrates the exceptional talent of children and young people aged 5-19 in filmmaking and film reviewing, was originally due to take place with a live event at London's ODEON Luxe Leicester Square back in March. Sadly, due to development of the COVID-19 situation, the live event - which would have seen over 400 school children in attendance, alongside stars of the film and TV industry - could not take place. We'd like to thank all of our nominees and Into Film Clubs for their understanding regarding what was a very difficult decision, and their patience in the long wait to find out the winners.

However, that time has now come, and we were thrilled to be able to have David Walliams join us for a virtual ceremony, where the efforts of the class of 2020 were finally able to be recognised, and the award winners were revealed. "As an actor, these young people are the future, and you want them to give you a job one day!" said Walliams. "Anything that encourages creativity is important. We have an amazing film industry in this country, which is often ignored by politicians, and we need to support it."

Into Film CEO Paul Reeve said: "In a year during which the central ‘homes' for Into Film's work - schools and cinemas - have faced extraordinary disruption, we've constantly had to find creative ways to keep film at the heart of young people's learning. So presenting a virtual Awards show seems rather fitting, and I'm delighted we've been able to make it happen."

The nominated films across the categories covered an eclectic range of subjects and themes including the impact of plastic usage on our oceans, gender dysphoria, celebrating your heritage, Asperger's syndrome, living without hearing, self-improvement, and many more.

In non-filmmaking categories, the announcement also saw Awards dished out in honour of our Into Film Clubs of the Year, as well as our Reviewer of the Year and Teacher of the Year. We also selected three Ones to Watch, which is a partnership between Into Film and the BFI Film Academy, and highlights phenomenal individuals who have already achieved an incredible amount in the world of film and look set to go much further.

The winners, who hail from all over the UK, each receive a coveted Into Film Award to add to their mantle or school cabinet.

Without further ado... the winners of the 2020 Into Film Awards are...

Note: All films nominated for the 2020 Into Film Awards were filmed in 2019 or early in 2020, prior to any COVID-19 distancing regulations.

The short films that make up the Into Film Awards were created and produced by young people individually or as a wider group based in their school, college or youth group. The use of film as an educational tool was also paid tribute to in the non-filmmaking categories. More entries were received this year than ever before, paying a true testament to all those that were nominated. As well as celebrating the creative young people who have shown impressive skills in all areas of filmmaking, the Awards aim to actively seek out and encourage people from all backgrounds to participate in film and filmmaking, as a way of addressing the gender and diversity balance within the industry.

The much-loved Into Film Awards highlight the power of film in young people's education and cultural lives and are made possible with the support of sponsorship from the UK film industry and by the BFI through National Lottery funding.

National Lottery players raise £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.