This year’s summer PQA challenge invites your child to create a short video journal that captures their summer experience, big moments, small joys, personal reflections, or new adventures.
Across Pauline Quirke Academies nationwide, wellbeing and mindfulness is echoed into our five main pillars of wellbeing: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give. Essentially, our students care for themselves and others with care and kindness and embrace new experiences.
Our summer challenge isn’t about having the best camera or editing software…it’s about honest storytelling. Journaling through video helps young people connect with their thoughts and emotions, and we’re excited to see how this comes to life on screen!
This competition is open to all young people aged 6–18, whether you're part of PQA or not. We encourage entries from across the UK and welcome all levels of experience, from aspiring directors to first-time filmmakers.
Download the competition guide by using the link below and read through the whole document before getting started!
Choose how you are going to present your video: Films should have one main filmmaker, and the main filmmaker should be the person the film is about. Your film can be live action, animated, or a combination of both. Ensure your film contains a voiceover spoken by you (the filmmaker). You must give your film a title, for example, “Why I Dance”. Films do not require credits, but if you choose to, you must only include your first name.
Create a short video journal between 30 and 60 seconds long.
Parents/guardians should include the following in their email: the first name of the filmmaker, their age (this will not be made public), and the location of the academy they attend if they are a PQA student (this information does not impact the judges and is collected for internal engagement monitoring purposes only).
Submit your film to filmandtv@pqacademy.com by a parent/guardian and before the deadline of 31st August 2025.
Click here to find our Terms and Conditions.
Click here to download the Storyboard Template.
Click here to find the Summer of Me competition guide.
We’ll be selecting two overall winners:
One in the 12 and under category
One in the 13 - 18 category
Each winner will receive a £100 voucher and have their film screened at the PQA Film Festival 2025, taking place in Sheffield and London this November.
We’ll also be awarding four runner-up prizes, each receiving a £20 cinema voucher for a cinema of their choice.
All winning films will be showcased at the festival, with recipients invited to attend a special award ceremony to receive their prizes on stage.
We offer a free taster session where your child can explore our three exciting classes: Film & TV, Musical Theatre, and Comedy & Drama.
Book your free session today and watch your child grow in self-belief, unlock their creativity, and discover themselves along the way.
