Hertfordshire charity triumphs at the 2026 Charity Film Awards™
A Hertfordshire-based charity has been named a winner at the 2026 Smiley Charity Film Awards, with Electric Umbrella taking home the award in the £500,000 - £1 million income category for its film It’s Not A Crime To Be Different - Electric Umbrella x Hertfordshire Constabulary.
The Smiley Charity Film Awards celebrate the most powerful and impactful cause-based films across the UK and internationally. Now in its ninth year, and powered by the positive news platform Smiley Movement, the awards champion storytelling that moves people to take action.
The Awards are recognised by both the British Film Institute and IMDb, and have become a global platform for purpose-driven storytelling. Over the past nine years, the awards have generated more than 400 million film viewings on its website, with over 3 million people tuning into its virtual events and over 3 million people tuning in online globally.
A total of 29 winners have been awarded £101,000 in prize funding, with category winners, including Electric Umbrella, each receiving £3,000.
Nicolas Loufrani, CEO of The Smiley Company & Founder of the Smiley Movement, said, “Every year, these awards prove just how powerful storytelling can be when it’s driven by purpose. These films don’t just raise awareness, they inspire action, shift perceptions and ultimately help charities reach the people who need them most. This year’s winners are a reminder that creativity can be a force for real change, and we’re proud to support the incredible organisations behind them.”
Electric Umbrella is an award-winning charity based in Hertfordshire that educates and inspires communities through music, empowering people with learning disabilities to find their voice and challenge perceptions.
The organisation has built a strong national profile, including a standout appearance on Britain’s Got Talent, where it received Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer and reached the semi-finals. Through workshops, performances and its growing digital academy, Electric Umbrella has worked with tens of thousands of young people, encouraging inclusion and social change.
It’s Not A Crime To Be Different is a bold national campaign created in partnership with Hertfordshire Constabulary, launched during National Hate Crime Awareness Week.
At the heart of the campaign is an original song and music video, co-written and performed by learning-disabled musicians alongside police officers, delivering a powerful message about inclusion and allyship. Combining music, storytelling and real-world collaboration, the film challenges hate crime and encourages young people to celebrate difference.
Supported by a wider campaign including educational resources and a high-profile launch at Westminster, the film uses creativity to communicate an urgent social message in a fresh and accessible way, helping to build understanding and promote safer, more inclusive communities.
Selected from more than 500 entries, this year’s 200 finalists represented causes ranging from mental health and homelessness to disability inclusion, youth services and international development.
Finalists included 155 national charities alongside a strong cohort of regional organisations from across the UK, including London, as well as entries from countries including India, Palestine, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Uganda.
Categories are structured by annual income, ensuring charities of all sizes have an equal opportunity to be recognised.
To explore the finalist films or learn more, visit www.smileycharityfilmawards.com