A young artist’s work appears before Wicked sequels screenings, and she felt a flutter of nerves and excitement the first time she saw it on the cinema screen.
Maidah, an 11-year-old from Liverpool, secured the top spot from over 700 entrants in a competition to illustrate the BBFC’s ratings card. Her sunset scene features the witches Elphaba and Glinda reaching toward each other while they gaze at the Emerald City, a piece now guiding audiences nationwide as they watch the film.
“I had a sense I might win, but I entered just for fun,” Maidah said.
The reveal happened in a special clip with film stars Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, and Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh presenting her work.
As part of the prize, Maidah and her family were invited to the UK premiere in November, an event graced by the cast.
When her artwork played on the big screen, Maidah described the moment: “I felt like I had butterflies in my stomach, and the audience couldn’t stop cheering and clapping. It made me really happy inside.”
Her art teacher, Jade Miller, who encouraged all the students to take part, recalled the prompt: it involved Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, with the hopeful possibility of meeting them. The class imagined the chance and many hoped they might be in the same room as them, which caused much excitement.
For the illustration, Maidah used water-based paints, acrylic markers, and coloring pencils. She aimed to infuse Oz with life through bright, bold colors, incorporating key elements from the film such as the Emerald City, hot-air balloons, and the beloved characters.
Maidah learned of her win from her mother, who had to keep the news under wraps—an effort that proved challenging.
“I thought it was a joke at first, but once I understood the reality, I felt deeply honored and surprised.”
Her teacher, Ms. Millar, shed tears of pride when she learned the news, saying she was thrilled to have guided a student to such a milestone.
Jon M. Chu, the film’s director, praised the artwork, saying it echoed moments of cinema where friends, strangers, and families come together to witness a dream take shape on a big screen. He commended the evident dedication and creativity poured into Maidah’s piece.
The BBFC has presented black-and-white ratings cards since 1913 and notes that the annual artwork contest seeks to foster critical thinking in young people about the media they consume, helping them make informed viewing choices.
Get in touch
Tell us which stories we should cover on Merseyside
Would you like this rewritten version adjusted for a particular publication style (e.g., more formal, more casual, or more newsy) or tailored toward a specific audience (parents, educators, or cinema enthusiasts)?
