Published: 16 Mar 2026
BBFC and Disney launch national art competition for children aged 4 to 11
Young artists invited to create the official BBFC Black Card for Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5, in cinemas 19 June 2026
Winning artwork to appear before every UK cinema screening of the film Toy Story 5, which explores the world of “Toy meets Tech”
Competition celebrates creativity, imagination and the importance of age ratings in an increasingly digital world
Watch the official launch video featuring Pixar's Chief Creative Officer, Pete Docter
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), in collaboration with Disney and Pixar, is delighted to launch the latest Create the Card Competition. To kick off 2026, the competition is heading to infinity… and beyond to celebrate the return of Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Jessie in Toy Story 5.
The nationwide competition calls on children aged 4 to 11 to design the official BBFC Black Card for the film, which will show ahead of every UK screening of Toy Story 5, taking one talented young artist from playtime to primetime, when it lands in cinemas on 19 June 2026.
Toy Story 5 sees the return of cinema’s most famous trio, Buzz, Woody, and Jessie. To launch the competition, Pixar's Chief Creative Officer, Pete Docter, has called on young fans to “think big, reach for the sky and show us what you got”. Artists will need to interpret the evolving world of Toy Story, especially as the beloved toys come face to face with electronics!
Primary school-aged children are encouraged to draw upon the core themes of the Toy Story franchise: friendship, loyalty, teamwork, and the power of play and imagination. Whether it’s Buzz Lightyear’s space ranger technology, the classic charm of Woody’s roundup, or the spirit and energy of Jessie, young artists are invited to illustrate the characters that have defined generations of childhood play. With Toy Story 5 exploring a world where toys meet tech, the film asks a big question: will playtime ever be the same? The BBFC, Disney and Pixar are seeking a masterpiece that reflects the film’s heart, humour and warmth.
The chosen winner will see their art on the big screen and receive a framed copy of their BBFC Black Card, along with an exclusive Toy Story prize bundle. Entries will be judged on creativity, originality, and how well they capture the heart and soul of the film and its timely message.
The BBFC’s Create the Card Competition is a cornerstone of its year-round educational outreach programme, which aims to engage and empower young people across the UK to think critically about the content they watch. The competition, which forms part of the BBFC’s broader commitment to help audiences of all ages decide what to watch with confidence, encourages creativity while teaching young people about age ratings (U, PG, and 12A). In addition to the competition, the BBFC provides a wealth of free educational resources which can be found on the BBFC Education Hub.
President of the British Board of Film Classification, Natasha Kaplinsky OBE, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Disney and Pixar for our latest Create the Card competition for Toy Story 5. As the film explores the timely theme of ‘toy meets tech’, we’re sending children on a mission to think outside of the toy box to capture the magic of playtime in a modern world while thinking critically about the importance of age ratings and media literacy in an increasingly digital world.
“I’d encourage all young artists to let your imagination take you to infinity and beyond because great creativity never goes in the toy box, it may just land on the big screen.”
Charlotte Tudor, Vice President, Studios Marketing Disney & Animation at The Walt Disney Company UK & EMEA, said: “Creativity and imagination have always been at the heart of Disney and Pixar’s storytelling, and this exciting collaboration with the BBFC comes at a perfect moment. Toy Story remains one of the most beloved franchises in animation history, and as audiences prepare for a brand new adventure in Toy Story 5, we can’t wait to see how young artists bring Buzz, Woody, and Jessie to life in their own unique styles. This competition offers a wonderful opportunity to inspire the next generation of creators while celebrating the timeless magic of the franchise. So, to all the young artists… ‘Reach for the sky.’”
The BBFC has been issuing Black Cards since 1913, which display the official age rating for a film in UK cinemas.
The BBFC Create the Card Competition for Toy Story 5 is open for entries Tuesday 17 March 2026, and will close at 23:59 on Saturday 9 May 2026. The competition is open to all UK- based children aged 4-11. Teachers and educators can support their students in entering the competition with a dedicated resource pack for the classroom.
A panel, including BBFC President Natasha Kaplinsky and representatives from Disney and Pixar, will oversee the selection process.
Young people aged 4-11 can enter by either scanning and emailing a copy of their A4 landscape design or posting it directly to the BBFC’s London office. For more details and information on how to enter, visit the BBFC website. The winner will be revealed ahead of the film’s UK release.
Full details can be found on the BBFC website. Terms and conditions apply.
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is the independent film and video regulator for the UK. Through widely recognised and trusted age ratings and content advice, the BBFC works to protect children and vulnerable adults from potentially harmful content and to empower audiences to make informed viewing decisions. All BBFC classification decisions are based on our Classification Guidelines, which are updated every four to five years to ensure our standards continue to reflect the expectations and values of people across the UK.
Please visit bbfc.co.uk for further information.
For press, please contact our press team on +44 (0) 7946 423719 or press@bbfc.co.uk.
Further information and press assets can also be found on the BBFC Media Centre.
Instagram: @the_bbfc
Facebook: @BritishBoardFilmClassification
LinkedIn: BBFC (British Board of Film Classification)
X: @BBFC
The toys are back in Disney and Pixar Toy Story 5, and this time it’s ‘Toy meets Tech’. Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the gang’s jobs are challenged when they’re introduced to what kids are obsessed with today...electronics! Directed by Andrew Stanton, co-directed by Kenna Harris and produced by Lindsey Collins, Toy Story 5 opens only in cinemas on June 19, 2026.
