Through My Eyes – International Art, Poetry & Short Film Competition
The Never Such Innocence International Competition 2026/27 invites young people worldwide to explore the theme “Through My Eyes” through art, poetry and short film.
Short description
The Never Such Innocence International Competition 2026/27 invites young people from around the world to share their personal perspectives on war and conflict through creative expression.
This year's theme, “Through My Eyes”, encourages participants to consider how their individual perspective has been shaped by factors such as their experiences, nationality, heritage, gender, proximity to conflict, age and education.
Young creatives are encouraged to use their own voices to communicate ideas and experiences across borders, offering others an opportunity to understand conflict through a different point of view.
For 2026/27, entries can be submitted across three creative categories: Poetry, Art and Short Film. Short Film is a new category introduced this year, offering young people another medium through which to explore, question and communicate issues surrounding war and conflict.
The Art category welcomes a broad range of creative approaches and media, including drawing, painting, photography and sculpture, giving participants considerable freedom in interpreting the theme.
Participants may submit one work in each category, making it possible to enter Poetry, Art and Short Film separately.
The competition opens on 28 September 2026 and entries must be submitted by 26 February 2027. Winners are scheduled to be announced by 5 May 2027.
Winners will be announced by 5 May 2027.
Eligibility
The competition is open to young people aged 9 to 18 from anywhere in the world. Young people may participate individually or as part of a group. Entries from participants outside the official 9–18 age range may be accepted, but they will not be eligible for an award.
Benefits
➜ Winners will have their work published in a digital booklet featuring selected competition entries.
➜ Winners receive a Never Such Innocence prize pack.
➜ Selected winners are also invited to participate in special opportunities organised by Never Such Innocence.
➜ The competition provides young people with an international platform to share their creative work and perspectives with audiences around the world.
Entry fees
The competition is free to enter.
