Pupils in search of short film glory

One of the smallest national schools in Ireland is vying for a prize at a prestigious international film festival.

A short film on the recession produced by the 21 pupils of Cappabue NS, Kealkil, near Bantry, has been chosen to be screened next week at the REC for Kids film festival in Berlin.

Principal Norma Healy said there was great excitement in Cappabue ahead of the screening which will take place next Thursday.

“We are delighted to be included in a programme of films made by children from six to 15 years from all over Europe,” Ms Healy said.

The eight-minute film won the Ireland’s Young Junior Filmmaker award at the Fresh Film Festival in Limerick in March, beating more than 400 entries.

“That was very prestigious for such a small school and the Berlin event is even more so,” said Ms Healy. “A total of 23 movies from Ireland were put forward for the Berlin festival. Two were chosen. One was ours and the other is a four-minute film by Blessington Community College in Co Wicklow.”

The Cappabue NS film portrays the recession through the eyes of young children.

Ms Healy said when children hear parents talking about losing their houses, they view it simply as that, and not that a bank or lender has evicted a family.

“As part of the film, children put up posters offering their pocket money as a reward for anybody who can find their house,” said Ms Healy.

Children at Cappabue NS have been producing short films for the past five years.

Seda Crowley, a 6th class pupil, her mother, Carmel, and drama teacher Victor Hayes will represent the school at the screening in the German capital.

“Fingers crossed that we’ll win something. That would be great,” Ms Healy said.

She added that she hopes legendary director David Puttnam will officially launch the film at the Cinemax in Bantry.