Published: 16 Nov 2025
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is delighted to announce 11-year-old Maidah from Liverpool as the winner of its Create the Card Competition in partnership with Universal Pictures for Wicked: For Good. The film is the electrifying finale to last year’s worldwide sensation, which became the most successful Broadway film adaptation in history and earned 10 Academy Award® nominations, including Best Picture.
Maidah’s wickedly wonderful design will be seen by cinema audiences nationwide, appearing as the official BBFC Black Card before every UK screening of Wicked: For Good, when the film takes flight in cinemas on Friday 21 November.
A Magical Selection Process
From more than 700 entries, a judging panel including BBFC President Natasha Kaplinsky, BBFC CEO David Austin, Universal Pictures’ Marketing Manager, Chelsea Owen and Technical Manager, Martin Gibbins, shortlisted three exceptional designs, each bursting with colour and creativity.
But only one could take the crown, and Maidah’s artwork proved the most popular, with Wicked: For Good director Jon M. Chu revealing her design as the winning creation in a specially recorded video message. Jon M. Chu said: “You can tell how much dedication and creativity has gone into this artwork. And I can’t wait to see Maidah’s breathtaking artwork on the big screen”. Reacting to the news, Maidah said, “I won! From all across the UK. I can’t believe it. I’m so excited”.
In another dedicated video, members of the film's cast—Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero), Jeff Goldblum (The Wizard), and Oscar® winner Michelle Yeoh (Madame Morrible)—react to seeing Maidah’s creation for the first time, congratulating her and saying that she would make a “fine student” at Shiz, the most prestigious university in Oz, where the witches of Oz, Elphaba and Glinda, first met in last year’s Wicked.
Crafting the Winning Card
Using a striking combination of water-based paint, acrylic pens, and colouring pencils, Maidah’s winning artwork beautifully captures the heart of Wicked: For Good, celebrating the power of friendship, defying expectations and discovering the magic of doing good together.
The finished piece, which took Maidah over a week to complete, depicts Glinda and Elphaba standing hand-in-hand before the glittering Emerald City, bathed in soft pinks, golden ambers, and shimmering green hues. Two hot-air balloons—one pink, one green—drift through a starlit sky, symbolising unity and hope and dreams taking flight.
The artwork began as part of her class teacher, Miss Miller’s “Wicked Art Club” project, but Maidah’s passion led her to continue refining it at home and during lunchtime Art Club until it was complete.
Explaining her inspiration, Maidah, who has loved Wicked “forever” said, “I wanted to show that Elphaba and Glinda are both good—they just have their own kinds of magic”. Her signature will now appear on the official BBFC Black Card, alongside those of Natasha Kaplinsky, BBFC President and BBFC CEO, David Austin.
A Wickedly Unforgettable Experience
As part of her prize, Maidah and her family enjoyed a magical winner’s day experience in London. Their adventure began with an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the BBFC, where Maidah learned how films are classified from a BBFC Compliance Officer.
The day concluded in spectacular style at the European premiere of Wicked: For Good in London, where Maidah walked the yellow brick carpet alongside the film’s stars—Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba), Ariana Grande (Glinda), Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero), Jeff Goldblum (The Wizard), Michelle Yeoh (Madame Morrible), and director Jon M. Chu—, and Maidah’s artwork appeared on the big screen for the very first time. Maidah's creation was celebrated by all in attendance—a moment truly for the Ozian history books.
Celebrating Creativity and Courage
Natasha Kaplinsky OBE, President of the BBFC, said: “Each year, our Create the Card Competition reminds us how imaginative and thoughtful young people can be. Maidah’s artwork captures everything we hoped to celebrate with this competition — creativity, imagination and the courage to tell your own story. Her design, brimming with creativity and wickedly wonderful and perfectly reflects the spirit of Wicked: For Good. We can’t wait for audiences across the UK to see it light up the big screen before the film.
“The Create the Card Competition is not just about inspiring creativity — it’s about helping young people understand the importance of age ratings and media literacy, empowering them to make confident and informed viewing choices.”
Erika Lewington, Marketing Director UK & Eire, Universal Pictures International, added: “Wicked: For Good celebrates the power of friendship and finding your own voice, and Maidah’s artwork brings that message to life in such a creative, joyful way. We’re delighted to partner with the BBFC on this initiative, which gives young people a platform to share their talent with millions of cinemagoers.”
Maidah and a BBFC spokesperson are available for interviews. Please contact press@bbfc.co.uk.
Assets, including the winner’s artwork, talent videos and photos from the premiere, can be requested by emailing press@bbfc.co.uk.
Universal Pictures’ Wicked: For Good, the epic conclusion to the global phenomenon, arrives in cinemas Friday 21 November. Wicked: For Good has been rated PG for mild threat, violence, innuendo and language.
The BBFC has been issuing Black Cards since 1913.
The BBFC Create the Card Competition encourages creativity while educating entrants about film classification and the importance of age ratings in protecting audiences. It also promotes critical thinking in young people about the content they consume, helping them to make informed viewing choices. All competition entries were assessed on originality, creativity, and relevance to the film. The judging panel comprised:
BBFC President, Natasha Kaplinsky OBE
BBFC Chief Executive, David Austin OBE
Chelsea Owen, Marketing Manager
Martin Gibbins, Technical Manager
The competition for Wicked: For Good ran from 29 August to 12 October. A total of 711 entries were received. For this competition, there were eleven runners-up, which included three finalists and one winner, all of whom will receive a BBFC goody bag, and Wicked: For Good film.
Images courtesy of the British Board of Film Classification. Video footage courtesy of the British Board of Film Classification / Universal Pictures.
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.
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Last year’s global cinematic cultural sensation, which became the most successful Broadway film adaptation of all time, now reaches its epic, electrifying, emotional conclusion. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the final chapter of the untold story of the witches of Oz begins with Elphaba (Oscar® nominee Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Oscar® nominee Ariana Grande) estranged and living with the consequences of their choices. When a girl from Kansas comes crashing into their lives, they will need to come together one final time and truly see each other if they are to change themselves, and all of Oz, for good.
