Delight for Rathmullan school at 20th Annual FÍS Film Awards

Primary school students from Donegal are celebrating as winners at the 20th Annual FÍS Film Awards, following a national awards ceremony held at The Helix, DCU.

St Garvan’s National School, Drumhalla, Rathmullan, received Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking – Production Design and the 20th Anniversary Judges’ Choice Award for Film for their film Silent Movie Magic.

Hosted by RTÉ’s Sinéad Kennedy and attended by Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegard Naughton, the milestone event marked two decades of the FÍS Film Project and showcased the creative talents of young filmmakers from across Ireland.

With more than 1,500 pupils taking part nationwide, the FÍS Film Awards continue to highlight the exceptional standard of storytelling, technical skill and imagination being developed in primary school classrooms through filmmaking.

READ NEXT: Fundraiser taking place in aid of Donegal Hospice and Oncology Day Services

This year’s awards recognised excellence across 24 categories, including acting, costume design, originality, storytelling and technical achievement, reflecting the many creative roles pupils and teachers take on as part of the filmmaking process.

This year’s top award, the Aileen MacKeogh 20th FÍS Film of the Year, was presented to Saint Hugh’s National School, Kilmore, Dowra, Co. Leitrim, for From Tullynaha to Muckadilla, a collaboratively created film exploring the historical story of Frank Forde, Australia’s Labour Prime Minister, and his family’s emigration from Leitrim, brought to life through an original song composed and performed by the pupils.

Other standout winners included Scoil Naomh Iosef, Bouleenshere, Ballyheigue, Co. Kerry, which was awarded the Met Éireann: Weather, Climate, and Our Future Award for The Three Little Pigs with a Twist.

Commenting on this year’s winners, Hildegarde Naughton, Minister for Education and Youth of Ireland, said: “The FÍS Film Awards showcase the powerful role that creativity, collaboration and innovation play in teaching and learning across our primary schools. As curriculum reform continues to support more flexible, student-centred approaches to education, it is important that we recognise and nurture the diverse talents, interests and strengths of young people, including those that extend beyond traditional academic pathways.

“Initiatives such as FÍS reflect key curriculum priorities by promoting creativity, critical thinking, communication, digital literacy and teamwork, while enabling pupils to express their ideas in meaningful and engaging ways. These experiences support wellbeing, inclusion and the development of transferable skills that prepare students for lifelong learning. I warmly congratulate all of the students, teachers and school communities involved, and I commend the strong partnerships that continue to support creative learning within our education system.”