AND THE OSCAR GOES TO - Regional screening of films for Clare schools to take place this Wednesday

While it might not feature blockbuster Hollywood movies or the glamour of the Oscar's red carpet, the screening of five films produced by Clare schools is expected to contain plenty of drama when it takes place at 8pm in the Temple Gate Hotel Ennis tomorrow Wednesday 20th June. One of the five-minute films being shown at the regional screening will be selected to take part in the national final of the 5th annual FIS Primary Schools Film Project.

Hosted by Clare Education Centre, in association with the Department of Education and the National Film School, the FÍS Project presents teachers and their students with the challenge of using the medium of film and DV technology to explore the primary curriculum.

For the first time ever, County Clare has 5 schools participating in the Project; Holy Family Senior – Ennis, Tubber National School, Scoil Chríost Rí – Ennis, Kilrush National School and Barefield National School. The West Clare Railway, television's 'Pop Idol' and primary education in the 20th century are among the issues explored by the students in their 5-minute films.

"The films produced by the children demonstrate what can be achieved when creativity and modern technology are combined", explained Brid Talty, Regional Schools ICT Advisor, Clare Education Centre.

Ms. Talty, "The FIS Project has clearly shown how effective technology can be in mediating the curriculum and how capable the children are in dealing with it. It also has helped develop the relationship between teachers and their students, therefore contributing to a healthy learning environment."

Since the initiative commenced in February 2007, local children and teachers have been involved in set design, music composition, storyboarding, camera work, editing and directing.

"They thoroughly enjoyed the whole learning experience and in most cases have realised that there is a lot of hard work and planning involved in film-making. This week's screenings will offer them an opportunity to come together to celebrate and share the work they have engaged in since February", added Ms. Talty.

Meanwhile, one of the five films to be screened at the Temple Gate Hotel will be nominated to go forward to the National FÍS Film Awards at the HELIX, Dublin City University in October 2007.

The panel of judges that will choose the Clare nominee includes Tom Clohessy, Principal of Ennis CBS and video editing tutor for Clare Education Centre; Laura Kearney, a Communications graduate of Clare Education Centre and formerly of TG4; Ciaran McCormack of the National Film School at the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology; and Ann White, Project Officer, National Council for Technology Education.

According to Ms. White, "As part of the FÍS process, schools participate in regional screenings of their films towards the end of the school year. Regional screenings take place in the public arena adding an element of drama to the occasion while students also see their work on the big screen. For one of the participating Clare schools the journey is just beginning and they could be in with a chance of winning of the overall prize this October."

FÍS, literally translated as 'vision', is an initiative from the Department of Education and Science in the Republic of Ireland. Managed and delivered by The National Film School at the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology the initiative is designed to introduce the medium of film as a support to the Revised Primary School Curriculum. Since 2004, the number of participating schools has more than doubled. All schools are supported at local level by their Education Centres and the ICT Advisory Service through the provision of training, support and equipment.

Clare Education Centre, formerly known as Ennis Teachers' Centre, has, since 1972, supported the in-service needs of Clare teachers. Since August 2000, the Centre has been located in a new purpose-built complex on the Kilrush Road, Ennis. The main functions of Clare Education Centre include a requirement to support the in-service needs of the state and to identify and support locally identified needs.

Clare Education Centre has, in recent years, been involved in Intercultural Projects with Centres in European Union countries. The Centre is also heavily involved in promoting the use of technology in education at primary school level. It continues to co-ordinate the popular Clare Website Quiz, held monthly in association with Clare Museum.

See www.fis.ie for more on the FIS Project. For more on Clare Education Centre email enquiries@clare-education-centre.ie or log on to www.clare-education-centre.ie.

-ENDS-

Contacts:
- Mark Dunphy, Dunphy Public Relations, media@dunphypr.com, 086-8534900
- Brid Talty, Regional Schools ICT Advisor, Clare Education Centre, bridtalty@eircom.net, 0876206422

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
Clonboula,
Connolly,
Ennis,
County Clare
IRELAND
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (Mobile)
00353-656839692 (Fax)