The Smiley Charity Film Awards, now in their eighth year, have become one of the most influential platforms for celebrating stories from charities, CICs and social enterprises. Recognised by BFI and IMDb, the awards are the world’s largest cause-based film campaign, supporting more than 5,000 charities to date and reaching millions of people through voting, social media and virtual events.
Since launching, the campaign has generated:
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400 million film impressions
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Engagement from 1 million individuals
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Over 3 million virtual event viewers
The awards use film, storytelling and social media to shine a light on positive change and help organisations reach wider audiences.
Entries for 2026 Are Now Open
The 2026 awards are now accepting submissions. This is an opportunity for Leeds VCSE organisations to share their work, celebrate creativity and reach new supporters.
Last year’s campaign reached over 50 million extra viewers, offering a huge visibility boost for organisations of all sizes.
How to Enter
Entry is quick and simple. Submit your film using one of the links below:
What You Need
To enter, you’ll need:
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A YouTube or Vimeo link for your film
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A film that was released after 1 September 2024
Extra guidance is available on the Smiley Charity Film Awards website:
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FAQs
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Why enter
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Timeline and key dates
Questions? Email [email protected]
Why Enter?
Taking part in the Smiley Charity Film Awards can help you:
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Increase visibility for your cause
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Reach new supporters and audiences
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Share the impact of your work through creative storytelling
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Join a growing community of social-impact filmmakers
It’s an inspiring opportunity to showcase the difference the VCSE sector makes every day.
Good luck to everyone entering this year.
