Laois Primary School Students Scoop Prize at 20th Annual FÍS Film Awards

Students from Laois stood out amongst 1,500 pupils from across country in FÍS Film Awards

Primary school students from Laois were today celebrated as winners at the 20th Annual FÍS Film Awards, following a national awards ceremony held at The Helix, DCU, Dublin on Thursday 12 February 2026. 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.

The winners from Laois were St Fiacc’s NS, which received the Award for Best Script for There’s No Such Thing As A Free Lunch.

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 St. Garvan’s National School, Drumhalla, Rathmullan, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, which received the 20th Anniversary Judges’ Choice Award for Film for Silent Movie Magic, and 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.”

Also Commenting, David Smith, President of the Institute for Art, Design + Technology, Dún Laoghaire said:
“For 20 years, the FÍS Film Awards have demonstrated the power of creativity in education. At IADT, we are proud to support a project that gives young people the confidence to explore ideas, develop digital skills and tell meaningful stories through film. Seeing pupils from schools across Ireland celebrated on a national stage is a testament to the impact of this programme.”

The FÍS Film Awards ceremony is captured and broadcast by students of IADT’s National Film School, giving them invaluable hands-on experience in a professional setting. The post-production of the awards is undertaken by students of IADT’s National Film School, allowing them to develop practical skills in editing, production, and storytelling while contributing to a nationally recognised event.