About the Awards
Our Creative Awards are back and this year’s theme is We Are All Animals.
Not only have we chosen this theme as a celebration of the wonderful new children’s book by the same name, it is also at the very heart of what we do - leading One Medicine by removing barriers and closing the divide between human and animal medical care.
Humans and animals share so much more than many people realise. We have similar bodies - right down to our cells and bones - and we share emotions too. Our lives are deeply connected: we live together, care for each other, share resources and, unfortunately, we also share diseases.
Our global Creative Awards are now in their third year and we’re excited to say that they are bigger and better than ever before. We have a new judge joining the panel, money can’t buy prizes, new lesson ideas for schools and we’re even adding a new category for medical, veterinary and health professionals, including students.
We hope this year’s theme of We Are All Animals will spark even more creativity among all ages and we can’t wait to receive your entries!
Get Involved
We are inviting everyone over the age of seven to enter our #CreativeAwards2025 by submitting an original piece of visual art, written word, video or photography that captures the incredible similarities between humans and animals, and how closely linked our lives really are.
After all, we are all animals and by recognising and celebrating this, we can create a world where all species thrive together.
This year, we have five categories - click the buttons below to find out more.
Entries will be judged on how original they are; their relevance to the theme of We Are All Animals (and/or One Medicine); and the use of story writing, poetic, artistic, photographic or videographic techniques. These criteria will be used to decide first place and runner-up for each category.
We have created a series of downloadable education resources, full of ideas to get children and young people thinking about the wonderful connections that unite us all:
NB An individual can submit one entry per artistic medium eg a short story and a photograph, however each entry must be accompanied by its own entry form.
Entry Guidelines
Your entry can be an original piece of visual art, written word, video or photography. On the entry form, you are invited to add a brief synopsis of your entry and its relevance to the theme (maximum of 200 words).
Visual art - creativity, design and self-expression of a visual nature
Entries could be in the form of a painting, drawing, pencil sketch, pastels or poster. You don’t have to limit yourself to 2D artwork, how about venturing into 3D? You could use sculpture, collage, textiles or recycled items to create your artwork, based on this year's theme.
On the entry form, you are invited to add a brief synopsis of your entry and its relevance to the theme (maximum of 200 words).
Entries must be submitted digitally, as a photograph, taken in natural light. Dark or unnatural light can result in a distorted image, colour or appearance. If you have access to a printer/scanner, full-colour scans often produce better results, but with care, smartphones and digital cameras can create quality images.
How to photograph your artwork:
- Place your artwork on the floor or against the wall in a naturally lit room. Do not use the flash.
- Use your phone or digital camera to take a picture of your artwork straight-on and as close to your artwork as possible. Centre the lens of your camera or phone with the centre of the artwork.
- Make sure there are no shadows or glare on your artwork when you take the picture. If the image is blurry, retake the photo.
- Open the file on your computer to check that it is a good picture and that it is straight and not at an angle, and between 3-10 MB in size. Save the image as a .jpg or .png file.
- If necessary, rotate the image so that it is the right way up. We recommend cropping the image to show just your artwork. Do not make any changes to the image, such as applying a filter. Your goal is to have a photograph that resembles your original artwork as much as possible.
- Save the file to your computer.
- Rename the file “last name, first name.” Example: Jackson, Rachel.jpg.
- Your file is now ready to submit to the Creative Awards 2025.
Written word – short story, poetry or short essay
Short stories or essays should be maximum of 500 words, whilst poems should be no more than one side of A4. Entries for the medical, veterinary and associated health related professionals category should be a maximum of 1,000 words.
If an entry is submitted in a language other than English, please provide a translation. Handwritten entries will be accepted, however they must be legible. The font size of typed entries must be 12pt.
Please note that any entries that do not meet these specifications, will not be accepted.
Video
Please submit your video entry (via the entry form) of no more than 10 minutes long in MP4 format, with a file size <1GB.
Photography
Please submit your entry in digital format, with a maximum file size of 10MB. Any entries that do not meet these specifications may not be accepted.
On the entry form, you are invited to add a brief synopsis of your entry and its relevance to the theme (maximum of 200 words).
About the Panel
We are delighted that this year’s judging panel is made up of:
Professor Noel Fitzpatrick – orthopaedic-neuro veterinary surgeon and Humanimal Trust founder
Christopher Lloyd – author, founder of What on Earth! and Humanimal Trust patron
Dr Matt Morgan – intensive care consultant and Humanimal Trust patron
Nancy Feresten – managing director of What on Earth!
Prizes
All winning entries will be published on our website and social media, and featured in communications such as our supporter newsletter, One Medicine Matters.
7-9 age group: judged by Professor Noel Fitzpatrick
First place: 12-month subscription to What on Earth! Magazine
Runner-up: 6-month subscription to What on Earth! Magazine
10-11 age group: judged by Christopher Lloyd
First place: 12-month subscription to What on Earth! Magazine
Runner-up: 6-month subscription to What on Earth! Magazine
12-15 age group: Judged by Nancy Feresten
First place: 12-month subscription to What on Earth! Magazine
Runner-up: 6-month subscription to What on Earth! Magazine
16 upwards: judged by Professor Noel Fitzpatrick
First place: signed books by Professor Noel Fitzpatrick and a Humanimal Trust messenger bag
Runner-up: Humanimal Trust messenger bag
Medical, veterinary and associated health related professionals including students (18+): judged by Dr Matt Morgan
First place: a virtual, 1-2-1 meeting with Dr Matt Morgan to discuss One Medicine
Runner-up: signed book by Dr Matt Morgan
How to Enter
Please submit your entry no later than 30 April 2025 using one of the following online forms:
Please note that you must be over the age of 18 to submit an entry. Only parents, legal guardians or teachers (with permission) may submit entries on behalf of those under the age of 18.
Entry information should include the adult’s full name, valid email address, confirmation that you are the parent, legal guardian or teacher and confirmation that you are over the age of 18. You must be contactable via the email address provided and by completing the entry form, you are accepting and agreeing to the contest rules and information. If you need help or support please email awards@humanimaltrust.org.uk for assistance.
Contest Rules & Information
There is no fee to enter this competition.
- All entries must be received by 11:59 GMT on 30 April 2025 or they will be disqualified (no extensions will be granted). Winners will be notified during the last week of May 2025.
- Submissions must be made via the relevant online entry form.
- Anyone over the age of 7, anywhere in the world, may enter Humanimal Trust’s Creative Awards 2025. Proof of age, identity and/or eligibility may be required.
- All entries must be an original work by the entrant and shall not infringe on any copyrights or any other rights of any third parties.
- Submissions should not include any AI-generated or AI-enhanced elements. While we may not always be able to verify this, entries suspected to have been altered or enhanced by AI may be disqualified. We appreciate the honesty and creativity of each participant in creating their unique work.
- Video entries must be under 1GB.
- All participants will receive a PDF certificate via email.
- All entry data will be stored securely and will not be shared elsewhere. Winners’ details will be shared with the distributors of the prizes.
- Please read the Entry Guidelines before submitting an entry.
- Humanimal Trust reserves the right to disqualify entries deemed as offensive, abusive or plagiarised.
- Entries that do not comply with all the contest rules will be disqualified.
- Judging will take place by the end of May 2025.
- Winners’ parent/guardian/teacher will be contacted before Humanimal Trust announces the winning entries.
- Prizes are subject to availability. If, due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to provide the stated prize, we will endeavour to arrange an alternative prize of a similar value.
- Humanimal Trust reserves the right to cancel the competition at any time, if deemed necessary or if circumstances arise outside of the Trust’s control.
- The applicant agrees that Humanimal Trust will retain the submitted artwork/writing, which it may use to promote One Medicine, and the work of Humanimal Trust in media worldwide in perpetuity.
- Entries, synopses (if provided) and select entrant information (eg first and last name, country and Awards category) may be used in publications and distributed to the media. Consent from winners’ parent/guardian/teacher will be requested prior to publishing and winning entries can be published as anonymous.
- Humanimal Trust promises to run this competition fairly, ethically and with integrity.
