Filmmakers ‘bouncing up and down’ as they’re in the frame at Into Film Awards London event

Filmmakers ‘bouncing up and down’ as they’re in the frame at Into Film Awards London event

19 June 2024

YOUNG filmmakers from two locals schools have been shortlisted for the prestigious UK-wide Into Film Awards. 

A group of Year 8 pupils from St Colmcille’s High School in Crossgar have been nominated in the Best Film (aged 12-15) category for their live-action film, Cereal Killers.

Caireen Ferguson (19), who attended Assumption Grammar and is now studying film at Arts University Bournemouth, has been shortlisted in the Best Animation category for her film, Frog Flight.

All of them will be travelling to London on June 25 for a prestigious red carpet ceremony to find out if they have won the top prizes.

The Into Film Awards, made possible each year through sponsorship from the UK Screen Industry, showcase the phenomenal talents of young people who are the filmmakers of tomorrow.

Nineteen young people from St Colmcille’s 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 using squirt guns filled with milk to neutralise the attackers.

St Colmcille’s 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 Caireen, from Annacloy, who is up for the Best Animation award, created the wonderful Frog Flight as part of her A-Level course work.

This touching, dialogue-free animation sees a young frog decided he want 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.

“I’ve always loved art and because I can draw, animation seemed the perfect fit for me,” Caireen said.

“It took the entire school year to complete Frog Flight, which I drew by hand using a digital screen drawing tablet.”

Caireen’s teacher at Assumption Grammar, Tristan Barry, said it was fitting that the animation award is being sponsored by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures UK Disney.

“We have such high hopes for Caireen and we will all be rooting for her,” he remarked.

“This was her first complete animated sequence and she worked so hard on it. She came with the vision for this story and turned it into this beautiful film full of creative detail.”

Sean Kelly, Into Film 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.”

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.