Kilkenny students achieve a spot in Fís Film Awards 2025 final

Students from Kilkenny have made the shortlist for their production. Partnering with the Institute of Art, Design, and Technology, and hosted by RTÉ’s Sinead Kennedy, the highly anticipated ceremony aims to inspire and celebrate the creativity of the next generation of cinematic visionaries.

The annual event honours the filmmaking achievements of Irish primary school students and their teachers across multiple categories, with the distinguished Film of the Year award taking centre stage.

Short movies about Anne Frank, Magic Homework, Irish folklore, Artificial Intelligence, and more are among the finalists for this year’s FÍS Film Awards. In its 19th year, the event takes place at the Helix, Dublin on February 12, 2025.

READ MORE: ALERT: Expect delays on busy Kilkenny road

Awards are presented for student contributions in directing, acting, design, music, and a wide range of film genres, including comedy, drama, horror, science fiction and films in Irish among others.

Through the FÍS Film Project, students are encouraged to develop their teamwork and collaboration skills, while also being provided with filmmaking tools and equipment to foster creativity and innovation in the safe environment of their school.

The finalist from Kilkenny comes from St. Patrick's School for 'Closing Date'.

The FÍS Film Project aims to not only give young students across the country the chance to be creative and collaborate with their peers, but also helps teachers improve their students’ technological and communication skills from within the classroom in an enjoyable and engaging manner.

The 2025 event will be filmed, broadcast, and produced by third-level students from IADT’s National Film School, offering them valuable professional experience in the industry to further develop their skills.

Speaking about this year’s finalists, Christina Reynolds, Creative Manager at the Institute of Art, Design & Technology said:

“With so many entries and such a high level of talent involved this year, it was extremely difficult to choose our finalists. It’s truly inspiring to witness the incredible creativity and innovation coming from young aspiring filmmakers who are guided by their teachers across the country.

"This year’s contest saw several entries that provided a creative twist on stories of historical significance. The awards highlight not just the talent of the students but also the power of collaboration and the role that technology and innovation play in shaping their storytelling.