• Sonic the Hedgehog reveals (Ruby, age 9) competition winner in an exclusive video 

• Unique design will now become the official BBFC Black Card for the latest film in the franchise

• Record-breaking year which saw more than 1,300 entries from children aged 4-11 nationwide

Today, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is delighted to announce the winner of this year's Create The Card Competition. In partnership with Paramount Pictures UK, the BBFC called on creative and artistic young minds, offering them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to design the official Black Card for Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

Since the competition opened in early September, the BBFC has received over 1,300 submissions from children aged 4-11 nationwide, making 2024 a record year for entries. 

Following an extensive judging process, the BBFC can announce this year’s winner as 9-year-old Ruby from Leicestershire. Ruby’s entry is a striking, impactful tri-colour design that brilliantly reflects the brief. It conveys a real sense of movement, capturing the spirit of Sonic the Hedgehog as he speeds across the screen.

To reveal this year’s winner, Sonic the Hedgehog himself made the announcement (voiced by Ben Schwartz) alongside Tails and Knuckles. In the video, the team praise all the entries and the talented young artists who created them while showing the eleven runners-up before revealing the winner's artwork.

All competition entries were assessed on originality, creativity, and relevance to the latest film in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. The judging panel comprised representatives from both organisations, including BBFC President Natasha Kaplinsky, Chief Executive David Austin OBE, Education Manager Sarah Peacock, Paramount Pictures UK Managing Director John Fletcher, Senior Sales Manager Phillipa Reynolds, and Marketing Manager Jack Miller.

The winning artwork, crafted from oil paint on paper, will appear on the big screen before every UK showing of the film, which sees Sonic, Knuckles and Tails come together in London against a powerful new adversary, Shadow the Hedgehog, a mysterious foe with powers unlike anything they have faced before.

Ruby and her family will attend the film's London premiere, where Ruby will be announced as the winner to all attendees as her artwork will make its official big-screen debut. 

Ahead of the premiere, the BBFC will also welcome Ruby to its offices in Soho, where she will be presented with a framed copy of her Black Card and a BBFC goody bag. The 11 runners-up will also be awarded a BBFC goody bag and tickets to a Sonic the Hedgehog 3 screening at a local cinema of their choice.

Ruby, 2024 Create The Card Competition winner, said, “I can’t believe I have won! I really enjoyed making this painting. Thank you for choosing it. I can’t wait to see the film at the premiere. I’m very excited!”

Natasha Kaplinsky, President, BBFC, said, “We’re thrilled to celebrate the incredible creativity and talent showcased in our latest Create The Card Competition. As a cornerstone of our education and outreach work, this initiative connects children and schools to the BBFC’s mission, highlighting the importance of age ratings in a unique and inspiring way.

“More than 1,300 entries poured in from across the UK, and the level of imagination and skill was truly outstanding - thank you so much to each and every one of you! Congratulations to Ruby, our brilliant winner, and the eleven exceptional runners-up. After a record-breaking year, we’re already looking forward to launching the next competition.”

John Fletcher, Managing Director, Paramount Pictures UK, said: “We’ve been so excited to participate in this year's Create The Card Competition. I, for one, have been blown away by the artistic skill of all the children involved. Seeing so many brilliant versions of Sonic The Hedgehog has been fantastic. Thank you so much to all the young people who took part.”