We're excited to launch a brand-new filmmaking competition, created exclusively for young people in Wolverhampton, to celebrate the city's talent and shine a spotlight on everything that makes it special.
One winning filmmaker or group will receive a £100 gift voucher to help support their filmmaking endeavours! Plus, every young filmmaker who enters will be invited to a celebratory event at Wolverhampton Film Festival. The competition will be judged by screen industry professionals from the city and local area.
This is your chance to shine a spotlight on the city. Share your stories, experiences, showcase Wolverhampton's people and places, capture moments from its history, or celebrate the culture that makes Wolverhampton unique.
Your film might make us laugh, cry, or feel inspired. It could teach us something new, challenge ideas, celebrate community pride, or spark positive change for the future.
And remember, your film doesn't have to be about Wolverhampton itself. It can be on any theme, in any genre, as long as it's set in Wolverhampton.
For inspiration, you might feature iconic landmarks such as West Park, Molineux Stadium, or the Wulfrun Centre. You could capture the buzz of local markets, the atmosphere of community events like the Wolverhampton Literature Festival, or the excitement of the Wolverhampton Film Festival.
You might choose to film in youth clubs, schools, sports grounds, or simply show the everyday life of the city centre. Your story could focus on people who inspire you, from family members to local heroes. Or, shine a light on hidden gems and traditions that make Wolverhampton unique.
Your film should respond to the theme Stories from Wolverhampton and can be fiction or non-fiction, documentary or drama, live action or animated. Be bold, be original, and explore what the theme means to you.
The deadline for entries is 12:00pm on Monday 2 February 2026.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your camera or phone, start telling your Wolverhampton story, and submit your film today.
Enter CompetitionWe recommend you enter using a desktop computer and an up to date browser
Use the ‘Enter Competition' button above to access and complete the online entry form. You'll then be able to upload your film (maximum 10 minutes). A confirmation message will appear on the upload page once your film has been successfully submitted.
The deadline for entries is 12:00pm on Monday 2 February 2026.
In the ‘Making Of' section of the entry form, please tell us why you made your film and what the theme means to you.
Once entries close, our judging panel will watch all the films. We'll contact every entrant on Wednesday 18 February 2026 with the results and next steps.
The winning filmmaker(s) will receive a £100 gift voucher.
The young filmmakers behind each entry will be invited to a celebratory event at Wolverhampton Film Festival later in the year.
Note: if you are aged 17 or under, you will need a responsible adult to enter your film on your behalf.
In order to be shortlisted for the judges' consideration, films submitted must meet the following criteria:
Filmmakers must be aged 5-19 at the time of submission and either live in Wolverhampton or attend a school, college, or youth setting in the city
The film should be no longer than 10 minutes in duration, including title and credits
Any music, images and video content from a third party must be cleared for use by the copyright holder. We suggest only using free library music that can be easily sourced online. Please see our Top Tips for Young Filmmakers for guidance on how to source copyright free music and otherwise keep your film compliant with our entry criteria
No surnames of young people aged 17 or under should be used in the film, including the title and end credits. Into Film are committed to the protection and safety of young people, and the addition of surnames in your films can compromise this
Films submitted must not be currently being graded as part of any film qualification Non-Exam Assessment (NEA), or as coursework on a film qualification course (e.g. A Level Film Studies, etc).
We share many of the films we receive from young filmmakers on the Into Film website and on our YouTube channel for other young people to enjoy. Therefore, it is important that the content of your film is appropriate for all audiences. Please keep the following in mind:
Avoid swearing and offensive language
Avoid showing risky behaviours, such as drug taking, smoking or excessive violence
If depicting risky behaviour is part of your story, consider whether it is necessary to depict the behaviour explicitly on screen for the audience to understand what is happening
Try to use your creativity to think about how you can explore these issues in a responsible way.
We will not be judging you on technical ability alone. You don't need expensive equipment to tell a great story! Judges will use the following criteria to decide on the winning film:
Relevance to Theme - how effectively does your film responds to the theme?
Story - is the story strong and engaging and capture the audience's attention?
Creativity and Originality - how creatively have you interpreted the theme?
Technical Ability - how well do the visuals, sound and editing support your story?
The following are NOT eligible for entry to Stories from Wolverhampton:
Training videos
Music videos
'Making of' documentaries
Trailers or extracts of longer films
Straightforward recordings of arts (or other) events
Disclosure of AI (Artificial Intelligence) Use
If AI tools (e.g. for writing scripts, generating visuals or voices, enhancing editing, or composing music) were used in the making of your film, you must disclose this at the time of submission. This includes, but is not limited to:
Generative AI (e.g. ChatGPT, DALL·E, Runway, Synthesia, Veo etc.)
AI-assisted editing (e.g. Adobe Sensei features)
AI-generated music or voiceovers
Permissible Use
We encourage creative experimentation, but the use of AI should support your own original ideas and not replace the core creative work of young filmmakers. Examples of acceptable use:
Using AI to generate sound effects or background music in line with copyright compliance
Experimenting with AI-generated imagery as part of a live-action film (e.g. dream sequences, concept visuals)
Using AI as a writing prompt, then adapting it into a wholly original script.
Non-Permissible Use
Submissions may be disqualified or marked down if:
Most of the film (e.g. full scripts, animation, voices, music, or visuals) is generated by AI without significant authentic creative input from the entrant
The film includes likenesses or impersonations of real people or existing fictional characters. With the exception of likenesses to historical figures where their inclusion supports the narrative of your film
There is no disclosure of AI use, but judges identifyclear signs of significant AI-generated content.
Judging Considerations
Judges will take AI use into account as part of their assessment. Films that demonstrateclear creative decisions, personal voice, and originality will be rated more highly than those relying heavily on generative tools.
We want to help you make the most of the Stories from Wolverhampton competition whether you're a young filmmaker just starting out or an educator looking to bring the project into your school or youth setting.
For young people:
Get inspired and pick up practical advice with our Top Tips for Young Filmmakers a great starting point for planning, shooting, and editing your film.
For educators:
Join one of our free CPD sessions, designed exclusively for educators in Wolverhampton, and discover how to bring this competition to life in your classroom or setting. Find out more and book your place here. If you'd prefer a CPD session delivered in your own school for you and your colleagues, you can request this via our Contact Form.
We also have a limited number of hands-on filmmaking workshops for young people. These sessions will help participants develop their ideas and learn the basics of filmmaking from storytelling to shooting. If this would benefit your group, please complete the Contact Form to register your interest.
Finally, we have a wide range of resources to support this project. See below for some Related Resources to get you started, and you can find many more on our Resources Page.
Top tips on making sure your film is compliant before it is completed.
Size: 1.19 MB
Start teaching your students to make films with our resources and guidance.
