04 November, 2014- Minister presents FÍS in Schools Award

The Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan TD, today presented the Aileen MacKeogh Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film-making at the tenth annual FÍS Film Festival. The Festival took place in the Helix, DCU. The FÍS awards celebrate the achievements of primary school children in exploring film as a medium of expression in relation to the arts, and introduces children to aspects of the film-making process.  Through the active learning methods employed by their teachers, children can present their stories through the medium of film. The Festival celebrates the integration of ICT in teaching and learning in Irish classrooms.

Presenting the Award, the Minister noted: “The FÍS project has succeeded in helping children to develop essential skills in moving-image literacy, communication and collaboration. It helps children develop additional skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, investigation and analysis – all while the children are having fun.”

Approximately 900 primary school pupils and their teachers from all parts of Ireland are attending today.  The Festival is a collaboration between the National Film School at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) and the PDST Technology in Education, a support service of the Department of Education and Skills. This is the tenth anniversary of the FÍS film festival and for the first time, the event was streamed live.

ENDS.