In partnership with Sheffield Libraries, we're inviting young artists across South Yorkshire to create a birthday card to celebrate Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday!
On 8 May 2026, Sir David turns 100, marking an extraordinary lifetime spent helping us see, understand and value the natural world.
To celebrate his legacy, we'd love young people in South Yorkshire who are under the age of 18 to get creative and show us what nature and Attenborough's work means to them by designing a birthday card marking his incredible milestone.
Once entries to the competition close (see below for closing dates), Sheffield DocFest’s Creative Director Raul Niño Zambrano will select a top 10 and one overall winner, which will be announced on 8 May - Sir David's 100th birthday.
The Prize
- The winning design & top 10 will be revealed on Sir David's 100th birthday (8 May) on our website and social media channels
- The top 10 entrants will receive a pair of Sheffield DocFest 2026 tickets to any event in our Children's and Family programme (to be announced soon)
- The winning design will also be presented at Sheffield DocFest 2026
Who Can Enter?
To enter, you must:
- Be aged 17 or under at the time of entry
- Have a South Yorkshire postcode
- Have written permission from a parent or guardian
By entering the competition, entrants (and their parent/guardian, where applicable) agree to be bound by our competition Terms and Conditions.
How To Enter
There are three ways to submit your design to us:
- By email: Send a clear photo or scan of your design to happy.birthday@sheffdocfest.com by Wednesday, 29 April 2026
- By post: Send your design to Sheffield DocFest, The Workstation, 15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield, S1 2BX, UK by Wednesday 29 April 2026. Entries received after the closing date of the competition will not be considered
- Via a Sheffield library: Drop your design into any Sheffield Council-run or volunteer library by Saturday 25 April 2026. You can find a full list of libraries and their contact details on the Sheffield City Council website
Please note that we are unable to return entries.
Your design can be on paper (A4 maximum) or submitted digitally (A4-sized maximum image, scan or PDF file). All entries must be the artist's own original work and must not contain any obscene, offensive, defamatory or otherwise inappropriate material.
Please include your first name, age, and a parent or guardian's contact email or phone number with your entry.
Judging
The overall winner and top 10 will be the designs selected by Sheffield DocFest’s Creative Director, Raul Niño Zambrano. We’re looking for creativity, originality, and a connection to Sir David Attenborough and the natural world.
Our Creative Director’s decision is final and no correspondence relating to the judging will be entered into.
The Announcement
We'll reveal the winning design and top 10 on 8 May, Sir David's 100th birthday, across our social media channels. Winners will be notified by email or phone.
