Deadline: 26-Jun-2026
The FÍS Film Competition is a national initiative for primary schools in Ireland that promotes creativity, storytelling, and filmmaking skills among pupils. It encourages students to work collaboratively with teachers to produce original short films across a variety of genres and styles.
The 21st edition includes a special thematic focus connected to Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026.
Programme Objectives
The competition aims to:
- Encourage creativity and storytelling among primary school students
- Promote filmmaking and media literacy in education
- Develop skills in animation, editing, and production design
- Support curriculum-based creative learning
- Highlight student voices and perspectives
- Strengthen engagement with arts and digital media
- Foster future-focused thinking through storytelling
Special Theme: Voices of the Future
A dedicated category focuses on:
- “Voices of the Future: Stories from children to leaders about the future”
- Linked to Ireland’s 2026 EU Council Presidency
- Supported by the Oireachtas through the “Our Future, Our Voice” award
- Encourages students to imagine future societies, challenges, and solutions
- Promotes civic engagement and awareness of leadership and governance
Key Focus Areas in Filmmaking
The competition covers multiple creative and technical areas, including:
- Storytelling and script development
- Documentary and fictional filmmaking
- Animation and special effects
- Acting and performance
- Direction and cinematography
- Editing and post-production
- Costume and production design
- Soundtrack and audio production
- Adaptation of stories into film
- Curriculum-integrated creative projects
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible participants include:
- Primary schools in the Republic of Ireland
- Department of Education designated primary schools
- Pupils and teachers working together on film production
Additional rules:
- Schools do not need pre-registration
- Multiple film submissions are allowed per school
- All films must be original and student-produced
Submission Requirements
Entries must follow these guidelines:
- Films must be uploaded via a school or personal YouTube account
- Submissions must be original content
- No copyrighted or flagged music allowed
- Use copyright-free or Creative Commons audio sources
- Preferred formats:
- MP4
- QuickTime MOV
- High-definition export recommended
Technical Guidelines
To ensure eligibility:
- Ensure all media used is copyright-compliant
- Avoid YouTube copyright flags
- Use approved music libraries for soundtracks
- Maintain HD video quality for submission
- Ensure proper file formatting before upload
Evaluation Criteria
Entries are typically assessed on:
- Originality and creativity of concept
- Storytelling quality and structure
- Technical execution (editing, sound, visuals)
- Performance and direction
- Artistic and educational value
- Relevance to theme or curriculum
- Collaboration between pupils and teachers
Award Categories
The competition includes:
- General primary school film categories
- Junior class productions
- Newcomer productions
- Animation and documentary categories
- Special “Voices of the Future” category
- “Oireachtas Award: Our Future, Our Voice”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Participants should avoid:
- Using copyrighted music or flagged audio
- Submitting non-original content
- Poor audio or video quality
- Missing educational or storytelling structure
- Ignoring file format requirements
- Overlooking YouTube copyright restrictions
Tips for a Strong Submission
To improve chances of success:
- Focus on strong storytelling and clear narrative
- Encourage student-led creativity and participation
- Use original or copyright-free music only
- Maintain good lighting and sound quality
- Keep films engaging and age-appropriate
- Align with curriculum learning outcomes
- Experiment with animation or creative visuals
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can participate in the FÍS Film Competition?
- Primary schools in the Republic of Ireland
- Students and teachers collaborate on film production
- Schools must be Department of Education designated
- Do schools need to register in advance?
- No
- Schools can directly submit entries
- What types of films are allowed?
- Animation
- Documentary
- Drama
- Comedy
- Experimental storytelling
- Can schools submit multiple films?
- Yes
- There is no limit on number of entries per school
- What is the special theme?
- “Voices of the Future: Stories from children to leaders about the future”
- Linked to Ireland’s 2026 EU Presidency
- What are the technical requirements?
- Upload via YouTube
- Use MP4 or MOV format
- Ensure HD quality
- Avoid copyrighted music
Conclusion
The FÍS Film Competition is a national creative platform that empowers primary school students in Ireland to explore storytelling and filmmaking. Through collaborative production and imaginative expression, it strengthens media literacy while encouraging young learners to share their voices, particularly through the future-focused “Voices of the Future” theme.
For more information, visit FÍS Film Project.