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Young People Invited to Share Their Hopes Through Film as Charlie Quirke Treks for Alzheimer’s Research UK
The PQA - Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts has launched a national filmmaking competition offering young people aged 6–17 the chance to win a year-long scholarship in comedy, drama, musical theatre, TV and filmmaking.
The ‘Bring Hope Home’ film challenge, open to all children across the UK, asks young people to create short films exploring what ‘hope’ means to them. The competition is inspired by Charlie Quirke's trek for Alzheimer's Research UK – undertaken this Christmas (8-12 December) in honour of his mother, PQA founder, Pauline Quirke.
In the same spirit of purpose and positivity of Charlie’s Trek, PQA is encouraging young creators to use film as a way of expressing the hope they carry for themselves and others.
Entrants are asked to produce a 60–90 second film combining voiceover and visuals to tell a compelling story of hope. Films can be live action, animated, or mixed-media, giving young filmmakers complete creative freedom.
Participants are encouraged to explore questions such as: What am I hopeful about? Where does the world most need hope? How does hope change the way we feel and act? Younger entrants can collaborate with family members, making the challenge an opportunity for meaningful, shared creativity at home.
The overall winner will receive a full year’s scholarship to one of the 250 PQA academies across the UK, plus a trophy and will have their film screened at the PQA Film Festival 2026.Three runners-up will receive PQA merchandise bundles and trophies. Every entry will be showcased on the PQATV YouTube channel, giving participants a platform to share their work with a national audience.
The competition is open to any young person aged 6–17 in the UK, regardless of whether they currently attend PQA.
Nick Pilton, Head of Film & TV at the Pauline Quirke Academy, said: “The PQA family is fully behind Charlie as he takes on this incredible trek for Alzheimer's Research UK in honour of Pauline. This film challenge is our way of continuing Pauline's legacy of nurturing young talent across the UK – giving every child, from all backgrounds, the chance to explore their creativity and share their voice. We can't wait to see the inspiring stories of hope that young filmmakers bring to life, and to welcome our scholarship winner into the PQA family.”
Parents and guardians can download the full filmmaking guide at pqatv.com, including step-by-step instructions, voiceover tips, editing recommendations and a printable storyboard template.
Completed films should be submitted to filmandtv@pqacademy.com by Friday 9 January 2026.
Full rules, prizes and technical guidance are available at pqatv.com.