25 primary schools have been awarded for their outstanding achievements in filmmaking at the 15th annual FÍS Film Awards which took place at the Helix, DCU, Dublin today.
Hosted by RTE’s Sinead Kennedy, the project, which introduces young students to all aspects of the film-making process, helps children develop teamwork, communication and technological skills. It also assists primary school teachers in enhancing critical thinking, problem solving, investigation and analysis in the classroom. The initiative is aligned with the Government’s digital strategy for schools, an action plan for integrating ICT into teaching and learning assessments in the classroom.
Over 900 enthusiastic young film buffs attended today’s ceremony, which was hosted by the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST TiE) and the Institute of Art, Design & Technology (IADT).
25 short movies produced by students and directed by teachers made the shortlist this year, including:
- Don’t Give Up! by Gaelscoil Riabhach, Galway
- Goddess of the Moon by St Michael’s College Junior School, Dublin
- Children Can’t Resist by St Josephs NS, Rathmullan, Donegal
- You’d Never Suspect by St. Peter’s National School, Dungourney, Cork
- Spring in the Dáil by Scoil Naomh Eirc, Kilmoyley, Ardfert, Kerry
- Breaking News by Abbeyleix South National School, Laois
FÍS 2019 also saw the introduction of a new special category award: Dáil 100 in collaboration with the Houses of the Oireachtas. Dáil 100 encouraged schools to make films that commemorate the anniversary of the first Dáil, to celebrate its legacy and educate themselves and others about parliamentary democracy.
The awards were presented to students by Ciara O’Donnell, National Director of the PDST and Head of Dept. of Film & Media, IADT, Rónán Ó Muirthile for Outstanding Achievement in Film Making for categories such as: Acting, Production Design, Animation, Direction, Costume, Cinematography, Special Effects, Best Newcomer, amongst others. Awards were also made for curriculum relevant films: wellbeing, history, geography and science subject areas.
In addition, Guest of Honour, Dr. Annie Doona, Chair, Screen Ireland & President, IADT announced the prestigious Aileen MacKeogh FÍS Film of the Year 2019 award at the annual FÍS Film Awards Ceremony where schools from across Ireland were honoured for ‘Outstanding Achievements in Film Making’.
The FÍS 2019 award winning films are a powerful demonstration of how creativity combined with technology influences how children learn, makes learning meaningful and highlights the richness of its impact. The creative use of technology supports teachers to realise the curriculum in an interesting and interactive way, very much in line with the focus in the Department of Education & Skills, Digital Strategy for Schools and the Digital Learning Framework.
Ciara O’Donnell, National Director – PDST
Ireland’s youngest film-makers and their teachers have worked hard to create films that entertain, engage, challenge, inform, that make us laugh, cry and wonder. In a growing technology-based world, primary school children are given the opportunity to prepare well for the future and to have their voice heard as they learn and understand how to create content rather than simply being passive consumers of it.
Dr. Annie Doona, Chair – Screen Ireland & President – IADT
Winners
| County | Award Received | School Name | Film Title |
| Carlow | Outstanding Achievement Award for Drama | Newtown Dunleckney National School | Setanta |
| Cork | Outstanding Achievement Award for Horror | St. Peter’s National School (Dungourney) | You’d Never Suspect |
| Cork | Outstanding Achievement Award for Curriculum Relevance: History | Carrigaline Educate Together NS | The Cork to Crosshaven Railway |
| Cork | Outstanding Achievement Award Curriculum Relevance: Wellness | Our Lady of Mercy NS (Bantry) | Second Best |
| Donegal | Outstanding Achievement Award for Animation | St Josephs NS (Rathmullan) | Children can’t resist |
| Donegal | Outstanding Achievement Award for Comedy | Ayr Hill National School (Letterkenny) | Misunderstood |
| Dublin | Outstanding Achievement Award for Acting + The Aileen Mac Keogh Film of the Year 2019 Award | Gardiner Street Primary School | The Story of the Willow Tree Pattern |
| Dublin | Outstanding Achievement Award for Production Design | St Michael’s College Junior School (Dublin 4) | Goddess of the Moon |
| Dublin | Outstanding Achievement Award for Soundtrack | Sacred Heart of Jesus, Huntstown, (D15) | A New Day |
| Galway | Outstanding Achievement Award for Cinematography | Scoil Mhuire (Moycullen) | More than meets the eye |
| Galway | Outstanding Achievement Award for Storyboarding | Scoil Padraig Naofa (Cregmore) | Science Busters |
| Galway | Outstanding Achievement Award for Special Effects | Gaelscoil Riabhach | Don’t Give Up! |
| Galway | Outstanding Achievement Award Curriculum Relevance: Geography | Scoil San Phroinsias (Headford Road) | St. Francis, Superhero. |
| Kerry | Outstanding Achievement Award for Adaptation | Killury National School (Causeway) | Bean Sí |
| Kerry | Outstanding Achievement Award for Best Biography | Scoil Naomh Eirc (Kilmoyley, Ardfert) | Spring in the Dáil |
| Kerry | Outstanding Achievement Award for Storytelling | Scoil Mhuire gan Smál (Lixnaw) | The Busy Bees |
| Kerry | Outstanding Achievement Award for Originality | Scoil Naomh Iosef (Ballyheigue) | A Little Help |
| Laois | Outstanding Achievement Award for Mixed Media | Abbeyleix South National School | Breaking News |
| Leitrim | Outstanding Achievement Award for Plot Twist | Saint Hugh’s National School (Dowra) | 1915 |
| Mayo | Outstanding Achievement Award for Curriculum Relevance: Science | Scoil Raifteirí (Castlebar) | Science and Me in Scoil Raifteirí |
| Meath | Outstanding Achievement Award for Best Newcomer | St. Paul’s Primary School (Navan) | A Better Way |
| Meath | An Scannán is Fearr as Gaeilge | Scoil Uí Ghramhnaigh (Ráth Cairn, Áth Bui) | An Grianghraf |
| Monaghan | Award for Best Special Category Film: Dáil 100 | Scoil na gCailini (Castleblaney) | Mná na hEireann agus an Chéad Dáil |
| Tipperary | Outstanding Achievement Award for Direction | Cappawhite National School | January 21st 1919 – The day that changed the course of Irish History |
| Tipperary | Outstanding Achievement Award for Costume | Lackamore National School (Newport) | The Lackamore Wood Ambush |