Young filmmakers from two Co Down schools have been shortlisted for the Into Film Awards in London.
Year 8 pupils from St Colmcille’s High School in Crossgar have been nominated in the Best Film (aged 12-15) category.
Nineteen young people worked together on the humorous drama Cereal Killers in which the boxes of cereal from the school’s breakfast club come to life to turn the tables on the children. But the kids fight back, putting the ‘cereal back in its box’.
School principal Seamus Hanna said: “The children were bouncing up and down when we told them they were nominated for this award. We are so very proud of them; this film was created entirely by the children and they worked really hard on it.”
Because their group is so big, they drew lots among the 19 students with five selected for the trip to London under the supervision of their teachers for the final ceremony.
They will be joined by former Assumption Grammar pupil Caireen Ferguson who is up for the Best Animation award for her film Frog Flight.
Created for her A Level last year, this dialogue-free animation sees a young frog decided he wants to fly like a bird. When all of his attempts end up in failure it’s up to his father to decide whether to help make his son’s risky dream come true or not.
The 19 year old film student said: “I’ve always loved art and because I can draw, animation seemed the perfect fit for me. It took the entire school year to complete Frog Flight, which I drew by hand using a digital screen drawing tablet.”
Into Film is an education charity which utilises film as a tool for children and young people’s educational, cultural and personal development.
Sean Kelly, Into Film’s Northern Ireland Programme Lead, said: “There is such a wealth of talent represented by these two nominees. Both films are excellent, showing the hard work, enthusiasm and creativity of these young people.”
The awards will take place on June 25
Each film is also entered for the Audience Choice film of 2024 which relies on the public vote.
All films can be viewed online at https://www.intofilm.org/news-and-views/articles/into-film-awards-2024-nominees.