Applications are invited for Young Game Designers Programme 2023, An Initiative by BAFTA YGD, Entries are open to apply.

About BAFTA

BAFTA – The British Academy of Film and Television Arts – is a world-leading independent art charity.

In addition to Awards ceremonies, BAFTA has a year-round, international program of learning events and initiatives that offers access to the world’s most inspiring talent through workshops, masterclasses, lectures, scholarships, and mentoring in the UK, USA, and Asia.

About Young Game Designers Programme

  • The Young Game Designers Programme is an initiative by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts
  • It inspires and supports young people aged 10-18 years to develop/create and present their game idea to the world.
  • If you are thinking about making games when you leave school? If you have a great game idea that you want to share?
  • Register here for your BAFTA account.
  • Here is the chance to win a BAFTA YGD Award, with lifetime experiences with top game makers and industry professionals.

Categories of YGD Competition

  • Game Concept Award
    • Reckon you’ve got a brilliant game idea up your sleeve? Spend hours lost in the world of your imagination? Love to draw or are simply brimming with story ideas? The YGD Game Concept Award is for you!
    • Entrants for the Game Concept Award must submit an original game idea created by themselves or with a team of up to two other people. If your game idea is chosen as a winner, you’ll get to meet top gaming experts who’ll work with you to bring your game to life as you’ve never seen it before!
    • Entries will be judged on gameplay design, creativity, and suitability for the chosen game platform. It’s not required to have good drawing skills to enter the competition, as the entry will be judged on the idea you present to us. 
  • Game Making Award
    • Are you skillful at Scratch, crazy-good at Kodu, or fantastic at Flash? If you’re already making your own games, take it to the next level by entering the Game Making Award.
    • Entrants for the Game Making Award must submit an original game created by themselves or with a team of up to two other people. 
    • If your game is chosen as a winner, you’ll get to meet top gaming experts who’ll work with you to develop and make your game even better  –  and you never know where that could lead!
  • Mentor Award
    • The Mentor Award will return in 2024. 
    • The Award celebrates a hard-working leader or teacher who has a passion and dedication for game making and design and inspires young people to make games. 

Awards

  • If you’re chosen as a finalist in 2023, you’ll receive a bundle of game goodies from YGD partners.
  • A series of exclusive masterclasses; digital mentorship (if aged 13+), and career advice from industry experts.
  • The opportunity to attend a special showcase event at BAFTA’s HQ in London.

Who can apply and get awards?

There are two awards within this category –

  • One for 10 to 14-year-olds, and
  • One for 15 to 18-year-olds.

How to Apply?

Click here to apply online.

Click here for the Official Notification of the Young Game Designers Programme 2023.