Before Easter, we went to the Odeon cinema in Limerick. Our film (League of Skeletons) was shortlisted from 400 entries for the Fresh Film Festival. Only 38 were shown in the cinema. We left at 7:15am on a bus. The journey took approximately 2 hours but we were delayed because of road works. On the way, we saw Thomond Park, the home of Munster rugby, and the River Shannon. When we got to the cinema we bought sweets and went to the toilet. We sat down in the cinema. We missed 3 or 4 movies because of the road works. There were many great films and two breaks. We won an award for best CGI effects (computer generated images). We got a plaque and our photo taken. On the way home we went to Supermacs to eat. We had a great day out. Watch our film below:

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On Thursday June 14th we went to Castlebar Movie World. Our 5 minute movie ‘Job Done’ was being shown along with 5 other schools in Mayo. We all got popcorn and drinks. We all enjoyed our day out!

In this week’s (April 3rd) Western People and Mayo News, Cróna Esler and Ciara Moynihan respectively have written two lovely articles covering our recent award at the Fresh Film Festival in Limerick. The film “Job Done” can be viewed here at the bottom of our FÍS Film Project page.

Job Done as Gortskehy filmmakers take top prize

Western People, April 3rd 2012, Cróna Esler (page 4)

“It seems there’s no end to the talents of the students at Gortskehy National School, writes Cróna Esler. This week the children have yet another reason to celebrate, having been presented with the Ireland Young Filmaker Award in the junior category (age seven to twelve years) at this year’s Fresh Film Festival.

Pupils from fifth and sixth class produced a film based on a short story about a tiger kidnapping. They were highly commended for the visual style of their film, Job Done. For the last 16 years, the Fresh Film Festival has celebrated young filmakers aged 18 and under. It has showcased their work, celebrated their achievements and chosen Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year.

The filmmakers submit movies they have made themselves and have the opportunity to see their work on the big screen at four locations in heats around Ireland. Many winners of the competition have gone on to successful careers in the film industry and each year the awards uncover a wealth of new filmmaking talent.

This year’s festival celebrated Made in Ireland films and record 400 entries were received. The festival strives to ensure it is engaging, relevant and challenging and has continued to develop links with other organisations and filmmakers from outside of Ireland. Louis Lovett [best known as Dieter in Killinaskully] was in attendance to present the awards to the winners at the ceremony in Limerick.”

Job well done for Gortskehy NS students

Mayo News, April 3rd 2012, Ciara Moynihan (page 34). Ciara has also posted the film here on the Mayo News website.

“Fifth-and sixth-class students from Gortskehy National School in Annfield, Hollymount, were among the winners at Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards at this year’s Fresh Film Festival. Actor Louis Lovett was in attendance to present the awards to the winners at a glittering ceremony in Limerick last Wednesday, March 28.

This year’s festival theme was ‘Made In Ireland’, and a record 400 entries were received. The Gortskehy NS students were Highly Commended for Visual Style in the Junior Category (7 to 12 year olds) for their film ‘Job Done’. Based on a short story by Patrick Hession and James Frizzell, the plot centres on a tiger kidnapping.

Patrick Hession and Diane Tierney turned in great performances as the balaclava-wearing raiders, while Orla Beddows, Toni Burns, Mollie Higgins and Nicola Hession were convincing as the terrorised family members, tied up in their own front room. Rachel Hession shone as a little girl hiding under the stairs. The film is a thriller laden with suspense – will the raiders discover the girl, and what would they do with her if they do? The eerie music and cinematography add to the mood.

Behind-the-scenes expertise was provided by camera operators James Frizzell and Justin Commins, and costume and props people Amy Frizzell, Rebecca Flanagan, Marie Mulhern, Thomas Higgins, Conal Beddows and Enda Hession. ‘Job Done’ was skillfully directed by James Frizzell – could he be another James Cameron in the making?

For the last 16 years, Fresh Film Festival has celebrated young filmmakers aged 18 and under. The festival has showcased their work and celebrated their achievements. The filmmakers submit movies they have made themselves and have the opportunity to see their work on the big screen as the movies are screened at four locations in heats around Ireland. Many winners of the competition have gone on to successful careers in the film industry, and each year the awards uncover a wealth of new filmmaking talent.

For more information on the Fresh Film Festival, visit www.freshfilmfestival.net. This is not the first award that ‘Job Done’ has received – last year it was named Best Horror Film at the Fís Film Festival awards, attended by President Michael D Higgins.”

Last Thursday I was watching Elev8, a television program for kids on RTÉ 2, when I saw Diane and I appear on the screen.  I texted my friends and they all saw it too. We had been interviewed at the Fís film Festival in the Helix a few weeks before.  We were interviewed by a little girl called, Gabrielle.   She asked us a few questions about our award-winning film called, ‘Job Done.’   This is the clip below . . .

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