Sun Screen: Young filmmakers sought to share sun safety messages

Brighton & Hove City Council’s Public Health team is encouraging local young people to create short films, music videos of original songs or animations about the importance of being safe in the sun. 

The public health team launched a competition on Monday 9 May which is open to anyone aged under-25 who lives, works or studies in Brighton & Hove. All entries must be original, no longer than three minutes duration and suitable for viewing by primary school aged pupils.

Cllr Dan Yates, chair of Brighton & Hove’s health and wellbeing board, explained: “This competition is designed to give young people a chance to showcase their creative talents in a fun way while helping with a serious health issue. We all enjoy our seaside city in summertime yet, as the temperatures rise, it’s important to remember to stay safe in the sunshine. Children’s young skin is particularly vulnerable to the dangers of the sun, even on overcast days. We’re looking at new ways to share sun smart messages to audiences at an early age to foster lifelong good habits.”

The competition is launched at the start of National Sun Awareness week, which runs from 9 to 15 May. Entrants have a month to produce and submit their creations before the competition deadline of 10 June 2016.

The winning entry will win an iPad mini and be screened across the city at the Duke of York’s Picture House, Brighton’s Big Screen, TAKEPART Festival of Sport and Physical Activity, Sussex County Cricket Club matches and shared with all 52 primary schools across the city. There are also 10 pairs of TOMS high quality, handcrafted sunglasses to be won by the runners up. 

To be part of the competition, create your own original work sharing sun safety messaging and submit your entry before the deadline of Friday 10 June. To submit your entry, upload your finished piece to either Vimeo or YouTube and send the link, along with your details, for consideration by a judging panel.

More information and the entry form can be found here: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/sun-screen

Have a look at our silly sun safety film which promotes the competition and urges filmmakers to do better than this example.

Key points

  • The aim is to share sun safety messaging in a creative and suitable manner
  • Content must be appropriate for primary school-aged children
  • The entries must take the form of short films, music videos of original songs or animations
  • All content, including music, must be your own or not subject to copyright
  • Entries must not be any longer than three minutes maximum
  • Entries are welcomed from individuals or groups, all producers must be aged under 25 years
  • If you're under 18 years old, you'll need permission from your parent or carer
  • If there are children under 18 years old shown in the video, you'll need their parents to fill in a consent form which is available to download on our website
  • Entries will be judged by a panel after the closing date
  • The winner’s entry will be shown on screens across the city and the winner will receive an iPad mini
  • There are runner-up prizes of 10 pairs of TOMS high quality handcrafted sunglasses
  • Deadline for entries is Friday 10 June 2016
  • Please check for more competition requirements at: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/sun-screen

More information:

If you have any questions email PH.SchoolsProgramme@brighton-hove.gov.uk or call 01273 296581

For facts and stats on being sun smart see: www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/sun-uv-and-cancer/ways-to-enjoy-the-sun-safely

For inspiration, see Australia’s famous campaign video here: www.cancer.org.au/preventing-cancer/sun-protection/campaigns-and-events/slip-slop-slap-seek-slide.html