Local young people encouraged to use summer to tell stories for their future selves
Youth filmmakers in Darlington and across County Durham are being asked to pick up their phones or cameras this summer and make a short personal film for the PQA Summer Film Challenge 2026.
The national challenge, titled Dear Future Self, is open to anyone aged 18 and under and asks entrants to create a short film that communicates a message to the person they expect to be a decade from now. Films must feature the filmmaker either on-screen or via voiceover, ensuring each entry is a direct, personal reflection.
Nick Pilton, head of film and television at the Pauline Quirke Academy (PQA), described the brief as a chance for young people to think about identity and what matters to them. He said:
"Dear Future Self is all about encouraging young people to reflect on who they are and what is important to them. Film is a powerful storytelling tool, and we can’t wait to see the creativity and imagination that participants bring to the challenge."
The competition organisers highlight the summer holidays as an ideal time for participants to try a creative project that uses screens more purposefully. Entrants are encouraged to focus on anything meaningful to them — a hobby, a memory, or something that brings them joy.
Prizes, screenings and how to enter
PQA will select two winners — one for filmmakers under 12, and one for those aged 12 or over. Each winner will receive a £150 voucher of their choice. Four runners-up will be awarded a £20 cinema voucher each.
Winning and runner-up films will be shown at PQA film events later in the year:
- PQA Film Festival, London — 15 November 2026
- PQA Film Festival, Sheffield — 29 November 2026
Filmmakers will receive their prizes and awards at those festival screenings.
Entry requirements and deadline
Key entry conditions are straightforward and aimed at keeping the project personal and achievable for a wide range of ages:
- Open to anyone aged 18 and under.
- The film must include the entrant on screen or as a voiceover.
- Entries must be submitted by midnight on Monday 31 August 2026.
Full guidelines and entry details are available through the PQA website, which also provides information about the academy’s broader work. PQA accepts children from age 4 up to 18 for performing arts training that includes singing, dancing, comedy, story writing, TV and filmmaking.
What this means for Darlington
For families, youth clubs and schools in Darlington the challenge presents a low-barrier way to combine creativity and reflection over the school break. The requirement that the filmmaker be the subject or narrator keeps the films intimate and suitable for young participants who may not have experience with scripted drama or large crews.
Local youth organisations and parents can use the competition to encourage digital skills, confidence and storytelling. For those who take part, the chance to have a film screened at festivals in London and Sheffield — and to receive material prizes — adds a tangible reward to the creative process.
The PQA challenge sits alongside other regional opportunities for young people to learn screen skills, and may inspire further participation in local clubs and drama groups that promote the arts in the town and county.
| Who | Young people aged 18 and under in Darlington & County Durham |
|---|---|
| What | PQA Summer Film Challenge — "Dear Future Self" |
| Prizes | Two winners (£150 voucher each); four runners-up (£20 cinema voucher each) |
| Screenings | PQA Film Festival, London (15 Nov) & Sheffield (29 Nov) 2026 |
| Deadline | Midnight, Monday 31 August 2026 |
Entrants and guardians should consult the PQA website for the full rules and submission process. For Darlington families looking for a constructive, creative project this summer, the competition offers a simple, meaningful brief and a chance for young voices to be heard beyond the town.
