See the winner of our 'Hamlet' competition

To celebrate the recent cinema release of Universal Pictures' Hamlet, we launched a brand-new learning resource. Hamlet: Shakespeare for All is a free learning sequence for learners aged 15+, which uses the immersive new adaptation to open up discussions about bringing fresh perspectives and interpretations to Shakespeare's plays.

As part of the resource we ran a 'Character Journal' competition, which asked young people to choose a character from any Shakespeare play and imagine how they might live in modern times. Entrants were asked to consider how they could modify the character's personality and circumstances to make them relevant to the modern day, and then create a 250 word journal entry from their chosen character's perspective as they face a significant challenge in their life.

Congratulations to Husna, aged 15, from The Derby High School, Bury, whose winning entry imagines the character of Lady Macbeth and her ruthless ambition and manipulation transposed to a modern day office setting, as she conspires to cement her husband as the CEO of a company.

"I was absolutely thrilled to hear that I had won", said Husna, "especially as it had seemed so far out of reach. In fact, it still hasn't fully sunk in! I'm incredibly grateful to Into Film for this wonderful opportunity, which has helped me recognise my potential and given me a real spring in my step."

Husna has won an Apple iPad. Check out her winning entry below!

We'd also like to give a special mention to two runners-up: Manpriya and Clara, both aged 16, and both from Ratcliffe College in Leicestershire. Manpriya also chose Lady Macbeth to build her journal entry around, going on to explain why the character is so compelling.

"Studying the Macbeth play and various films has deepened my appreciation for Shakespeare's craft, especially through the character of Lady Macbeth, who is both fascinating and deeply contradictory", said runner-up Manpriya. "Her ambition and determination challenge traditional expectations, yet her descent into guilt reveals a powerful vulnerability. As she famously declares, ‘Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under't' - a line that perfectly captures her complex and deceptive nature."

Clara chose to use the character of Juliet, whose journal entry depicted the start of a more modern romance with her Romeo. As runners-up they have each won a £50 book voucher.

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Hamlet: Shakespeare for All supports analysis and inference skills for students aged 15+, engaging with concepts including adaptation, interpretation, and cultural representation. The resource is aligned with curriculum objectives from:

• English Literature
• Film Studies
• Careers

Learners will develop their comparative analysis skills, practice the close study of British film, and gain insight into screen careers.

By considering the British South Asian identity of Academy Award-winning producer and star Riz Ahmed, students will reflect on cultural representation, and how casting impacts a production and its perception.