Birr primary school shortlisted for prestigious film award

A county Offaly primary school is one of 20 schools nationwide to be shortlisted for the prestigious 2024 FÍS Film Awards, which will see their short film 'Now and Then' being screened in Dublin's Helix Theatre next month.

Pupils from 4th, 5th and 6th class in Carrig NS, on the outskirts of Birr, will join over 1,500 pupils from 19 other schools in The Helix on Wednesday, February 21, for a screening of all the short movies which have been shortlisted for the overall award. The event will be hosted by RTE's Sinéad Kennedy and will be filmed and broadcast by third-level students from the IADT's National Film School.

This year’s FÍS Awards Ceremony will recognise a wide range of achievements across 20 unique categories. Celebrating all aspects of the filmmaking process, it will include awards for acting, costume design, originality, and storytelling among others. The wide range of accolades on offer aim to highlight the many different components pupils and teachers must consider when acting as movie directors, producers and screenwriters.

The FÍS project aims to introduce and lead pupils, often as young as six and seven years of age, through every step of the filmmaking process. By doing so, children are offered a unique opportunity to develop their creative skills outside of a traditional classroom setting.

Aspiring moviemakers are encouraged to test their communication and collaborative skills, essential components for personal growth and learning. Additionally, pupils are given hands-on experience with a variety of filmmaking tools and equipment, bolstering their digital skills and increasing their confidence with new technologies. The FÍS project is in line with the Government’s digital strategy for schools, an action plan for integrating digital technologies into teaching and learning assessments in the classroom.

Carrig NS is delighted to be one of the 20 schools shortlisted for their creative skills and are hoping that their short film 'Now and Then' will impress the audience and adjudicators in the Helix on February 21 next.

Christina Reynolds, FÍS Creative Manager, Institute of Art, Design & Technology said the FÍS Awards recognise the “next generation of movie makers across 20 diverse categories, we are heartened by how the FÍS Film Project continues to inspire young minds through the magic of filmmaking. Alongside nurturing creativity in primary students, the FÍS Film Project offers invaluable, hands- on learning experiences for the students of IADT’s National Film School. We are excited to celebrate the blending of education, technology and creativity through this project, as it continues to empower students to become directors, producers and screenwriters of their own narratives.”

Members of the public can join in by watching the 18th Annual FÍS Film Awards live through fisfilmproject.ie.