North Liverpool Academy is delighted to announce that our student, Maidah, has been crowned the winner of the BBFC Create the Card Competition in partnership with Universal Pictures for the film Wicked: For Good.
This national competition received more than 700 entries, and we are immensely proud that Maidah’s artwork was selected as the official BBFC Black Card design for the film. Her artwork will appear before every UK cinema screening when Wicked: For Good is released on 21 November 2025.
What is the BBFC?
The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) is the UK’s independent regulator of film and video content. It provides trusted age ratings and content advice to help audiences make informed viewing choices. Beyond its regulatory work, the BBFC runs educational programmes designed to help young people understand age ratings and the importance of media literacy. To find out more about the BBFC, visit their website at www.bbfc.co.uk.
Maidah’s design features Glinda and Elphaba standing together before the glittering Emerald City, created using water-based paint, acrylic pens, and colouring pencils. Her artwork celebrates the themes of unity, friendship, and optimism found within the film. Director Jon M. Chu praised the piece, saying: “You can tell how much dedication and creativity has gone into this artwork. I can’t wait to see Maidah’s breathtaking artwork on the big screen.” Maidah reacted to the news by saying: “I won! From all across the UK. I can’t believe it. I’m so excited.”
As part of her prize, Maidah and her family were invited to London for a special winner’s day experience. This included a behind-the-scenes tour of the BBFC, where she learned about the film classification process, followed by attending the European premiere of Wicked: For Good. She walked the yellow brick carpet alongside cast members including Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, and director Jon M. Chu. Her artwork was shown on the big screen at the event and received warm congratulations from attendees.
Cast members including Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh also reacted to seeing her artwork for the first time in a special video, telling her she would make a “fine student” at Shiz University.
Natasha Kaplinsky OBE, President of the BBFC, commented: “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, 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.”
Erika Lewington, Marketing Director UK & Eire at Universal Pictures International, also praised Maidah’s work, saying: “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.”
The artwork began as part of Miss Miller’s “Wicked Art Club” project, and Maidah continued to refine the piece both at home and during Art Club sessions.
Her signature will now appear on the official BBFC Black Card, alongside those of Natasha Kaplinsky, BBFC President and BBFC CEO, David Austin.
Further Reading and Coverage
BBFC press release announcing Maidah’s win: https://www.bbfc.co.uk/press-releases/liverpool-student-crowned-winner-of-bbfcs-create-the-card-competition-for-wicked-for-good
BBFC competition launch announcement: https://www.bbfc.co.uk/press-releases/bbfc-unveil-spellbinding-create-the-card-competition-for-universal-pictures-wicked-for-good
ITV Granada press coverage: https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2025-11-17/schoolgirls-artwork-to-be-shown-before-every-wicked-for-good-screening
Liverpool Echo press coverage: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/shes-only-11-years-old-32923801