Castlecomer's Wandesforde School scoops prize at FÍS Film Awards 2024

The winners of this year's FÍS Film Awards, have today (Wednesday), received accolades in recognition of their work, with a school from Kilkenny receiving an award. The FÍS Film Awards is a renowned annual competition for Irish primary school children and their teachers and educates them on the entire movie-making process.

Wandesforde National School scooped prizes in the Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking - Costume Design for their short movie 'The Home Front.'

The film is about the Home Front in London during World War 2, and was made by the children of the senior room in Wandesford National School, Castlecomer. 

The five minute movie was shot on location in Wandesforde NS school grounds and Wandesforde parish hall. Ration queue was shot outside 'The Lime Tree' café in Castlecomer Square.

Hosted by RTE’s Sinead Kennedy, the awards event is run by the Institute of Art, Design and Technology and Oide Technology in Education. First established as a grassroots initiative to nurture Ireland’s future moviemaking talent, over 1,500 pupils get involved each year. The awards ceremony, which was broadcast online earlier was co-produced by students of IADT’s National Film School and live-streamed through the official FÍS website.

The FÍS project was designed to introduce and lead primary school pupils through the creative process of filmmaking. Offering a unique opportunity to develop their creative skills outside of a traditional classroom setting, budding moviemakers are encouraged to test their communication, planning, and collaborative abilities. Students are allowed to create their own stories, characters, and visual effects, encouraging creative expression and lateral thinking, essential components for personal growth and learning. In addition, pupils are given hands-on experience with a variety of filmmaking tools and equipment, reinforcing digital literacy and bolstering their confidence with new technologies. The FÍS project aligns with the Government’s digital strategy for schools, an action plan for integrating digital technologies into teaching and learning assessments in the classroom.