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Congratulations to Venice Lyn-Kew, aged 18, from Wolverhampton, England, whose film Seven Minutes has won the Audience Choice award (sponsored by Universal Pictures) at the Into Film Awards 2026.
Originally submitted in our Time for Action category, Seven Minutes takes a fascinating approach to the sobering subject of teenage mental health and suicide, exploring the idea of one's life ‘flashing before your eyes' in your final moments as memories replay. Taking us on a journey through the different parts of the brain, from the hippocampus to the pre-frontal cortex, the film cleverly shows the way even the smallest memories are proof of a life still unfolding and worth holding on to, taking a creative approach to the simple truth that help is always within reach, and that every story deserves the chance to continue.
Seven Minutes is ultimately a film about cherishing life and choosing to continue, and I hope it encourages even one person to reach out and hold on.
Venice Lyn-Kew, aged 18, filmmaker of 'Seven Minutes'
The Audience Choice award is particularly special, as it's the only award voted for by the public. With over 10,000 votes being cast across our social media channels, all of our nominated films combined received over 175,000 views! We're delighted that the vote has helped to get all of our nominated films seen by such a wide audience. And for Venice's film to finish on top feels like a significant achievement, fully justifying her vibrant filmmaking and the fresh approach she brought to potentially heavy subject matter, helping to convey a vital message to many thousands of people.
"Seven Minutes was an incredibly personal project for me", explained Venice. "Not because it tells my story, but because it reflects stories I've witnessed. I was inspired to create this film after seeing close friends struggle in silence. I wanted to explore what it feels like when everything becomes overwhelming - and more importantly, what it feels like to remember that you matter."
I directed and starred in the film myself, with my younger sister shooting it. As a TikTok editor with over 200,000 followers, I've spent years experimenting with pacing, emotional build-ups, and storytelling through editing. I used those skills to structure Seven Minutes around rhythm - allowing moments to breathe, overlap, and fracture in a way that mirrors how memory works under stress."
