Matylda Kucharska, a 15-year-old filmmaker from Ealing, has won a national competition with her uplifting short film about hope. The ‘Bring Hope Home’ film challenge was inspired by Charlie Quirke’s trek for Alzheimer’s Research UK, undertaken in honour of his mother, Pauline Quirke MBE, founder of Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA).
The Ealing filmmaker triumphed over multiple entries from across the UK with her heartfelt short film ‘Hope Is All Around’. Her achievement has earned her a full year’s scholarship worth over £1,000 at PQA, plus a merchandise bundle and the opportunity to have her film screened at PQA’s annual Film Festival in 2026.
The film captured the spirit of the challenge with warmth, creativity and emotional clarity. Her work stood out for its storytelling, visual style and heartfelt message about hope, perfectly embodying the same spirit of purpose and positivity that inspired Charlie Quirke’s trek for Alzheimer’s Research UK in December. With its uplifting message that, “there are souls rooting for you, believing in your story, before the end is even written,” Matylda’s film offers a refreshing and beautiful reminder of hope in today’s world.
When asked about her winning film, Matlyda said, “On the days when you can’t find hope on your own, let the people who love you hold it for you.”
Her mother added,“I am so incredibly proud of Matylda for her win and I can’t wait for her big adventures in the future!”
The ‘Bring Hope Home’ film challenge, which ran throughout January, invited young people aged 6–17 across the UK to create 60–90 second films exploring what ‘hope’ means to them. The competition was open to all aspiring young filmmakers nationwide.
Charlie Quirke, who served as a judge for the competition, said: “The response to the Bring Hope Home Film Challenge has been incredibly moving. Each film was so personal and full of heart – seeing how young people interpreted hope through their own experiences was truly inspiring. My trek for Alzheimer’s Research UK was about bringing hope home in honour of my amazing mother, Pauline, and her legacy of nurturing creativity in young people. To see that spirit reflected in these films, and to know that this competition has given these talented filmmakers a platform to share their voices, means everything. Matylda’s film, along with all the entries, reminded me why hope matters so much.”
Nick Pilton, Head of Film & TV at the Pauline Quirke Academy, said: “Matylda’s film is a beautiful example of the creativity and emotional intelligence that young people bring to their storytelling. Her work truly captured the spirit of hope that inspired Charlie’s trek. We were overwhelmed by the quality and diversity of entries from across the country – each one unique and personal. We’re thrilled to welcome Matylda to the PQA family through her scholarship and can’t wait to see her talent continue to flourish.”
Runners-Up Recognised for Outstanding Creativity
Three runners-up were also recognised for their exceptional work, each receiving a PQA merchandise bundle and trophy:
• Layla from Stoke on Trent – ‘Hope Remembers’
• Mae from York – ‘Alone’
• Mia from Buckingham – ‘Hope For Earth’
All four winners received a personal video message from Charlie Quirke celebrating their creativity and achievement. Every entry submitted to the competition has been showcased on the PQATV YouTube channel, giving all participants a platform to share their work with a national audience.
Matylda’s winning film ‘Hope Is All Around’, along with all entries, can be viewed on the PQA website here and PQATV YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@PQATVchannel
