Into Film Awards 2025

The Film Distributors’ Association (FDA) represents the interests of film distributors in the UK and Ireland. Its membership ranges from Hollywood studios to independent operators and is responsible for 99% of all films released theatrically in the territory.

The Into Film Awards 2025 took place today with a star studded red carpet ceremony at London’s Odeon Leicester Square. Hosted by actor, presenter and author Rose Ayling-Ellis MBE, a wealth of UK screen industry talent was in attendance including Gurinder Chadha, Olivia Cooke, Hugh Grant, Eiza González, Sharon Horgan, Lennie James, Elizabeth McGovern and James Norton, as well as Into Film trustees Barbara Broccoli, Eric Fellner, Nira Park and Col Needham.    

The awards celebrate the very best of young filmmaking talent (aged 5-19) from across the UK, alongside those whose guidance helped bring their work into being. From the hundreds of entries submitted, 24 short films were nominated in eight categories, including Best Film, Best Animation (both of which were awarded in distinct age ranges), the Time for Action award for issue-driven filmmaking and the new Best Story award for innovative storytelling, plot and characters.

The nominated short films explored a broad range of subjects, tackling pressing issues including the ongoing mental health crisis; the long-term after-effects of war and forced displacement; struggles faced by the LGBTIQ+ community; fears surrounding the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence; smart phone addiction amongst young people; and the immediate need for the preservation of the country’s rivers and waterways.

Fiona Evans, CEO of Into Film said: “The Into Film Awards wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering support of our invaluable sponsors, the UK film industry. Their commitment allows us to provide real opportunities for young people to share their stories, develop their creativity and provide them with career pathways into the industry. These Awards are both a celebration of their talent and a clear statement of intent: that the UK film industry values, nurtures and believes in the voices of the next generation.”

Ayling-Ellis commented: “I am really honoured to be the 2025 Into Film Awards host and I am so impressed with the creativity and brilliance of all the young people involved. The standard of the nominated films is extraordinarily high and just shows how important it is to give young people a voice through filmmaking.”

The FDA and UKCA (via cross-industry body Cinema First) annually support Into Film alongside BFI National Lottery funding. Into Film is the UK’s leading charity for film in education, bringing together these sectors to provide impactful opportunities for young people to engage with, and foster, a love of film and cinema. They believe the moving image is the most influential art form of the last hundred years and are committed to making it the most influential educational medium of the next hundred.

You can watch the award winning films, catch highlights from the ceremony, and find information on Into Film’s resources and events on their website.