The 2026 FÍS Film Awards have today announced that students from Laois have made the shortlist for this year's competition.

Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, the renowned ceremony will feature a host of short films created by primary school children and their teachers across Ireland.

This year’s event, hosted by RTE’s Sinead Kennedy is set to take place in the Helix, Dublin on Thursday February 12. 

Students at St Fiacc's NS in Graiguecullen and St Patrick's BNS in Portarlington have been shortlisted for their fantastic films.

St Fiacc's NS students produced a film titled 'There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch'. Portarlington students were also shortlisted for their film 'The Third Floor'.

Watch: The Third Floor, produced by Scoil Phadraig students

With more than 1,500 pupils taking part nationwide, the FÍS Film Awards continues to encourage creativity and filmmaking skills in classrooms across Ireland.

Designed for primary pupils, the FÍS Film Project guides children through every stage of filmmaking, from developing ideas and scripts to filming and editing.

The creative process encourages learning beyond the traditional classroom, while helping pupils to strengthen communication and collaboration skills.

Along the way, children gain hands-on experience with digital tools and technology, supporting the aims of the Government’s digital strategy for schools and its focus on integrating technology into teaching and learning.

Watch: There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch by St Fiacc's NS Graiguecullen students

This year’s FÍS Awards Ceremony will recognise a wide range of achievements across 24 categories, including acting, costume design, originality, and storytelling. The awards highlight the many different components pupils and teachers consider when working as directors, producers, and screenwriters. 

The FÍS Film Awards will also feature a special category sponsored by Met Éireann, Ireland’s National Meteorological Service.

In honour of its 90th anniversary, this year’s special category is named “Met Éireann: Weather, Climate, and Our Future”, and invites pupils to explore meteorology and climate science through film.

From the history of weather recordings to real-life climate stories, students have the opportunity to create educational and imaginative videos that capture the science behind storms, rising temperatures, and changing weather patterns. 

Commenting on the shortlist, Christina Reynolds, FÍS Creative Manager, Institute of Art, Design & Technology, said:

“At its heart, the FÍS Film Project is about young filmmakers- their ideas, creativity and confidence in using film as a way to tell stories," said Christina Reynolds, FÍS Creative Manager, Institute of Art, Design & Technology.

"As the awards show marks its 20th anniversary, it’s especially encouraging to see such strong and sustained participation from young filmmakers right across the country," she said.

"Through the long-standing partnership between IADT and Oide Technology in Education, the FÍS Film Project continues to support schools in developing creative digital skills, giving students a platform to share their work and see what’s possible," Ms Reynolds finished.

Also Commenting, Anthony Kilcoyne, Divisional Director Digital Technology, OIDE Technology in Education, welcomed this year's awards.

“Twenty years on, the judges continue to be impressed by the quality of students’ thinking, particularly in how they craft and bring their stories to life," he said.

"Through the FÍS Film Awards, students continue to demonstrate that technology works best when it serves the story, bringing curriculum learning to life in captivating and interactive ways," Mr Kilcoyne finished.

From one generation of students to the next, the FÍS Film Awards ceremony is captured and broadcast by students of IADT’s National Film School, giving them invaluable hands-on experience in a professional setting.

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The post-production of the awards is undertaken by students from IADT’s BA in Film & TV programme, allowing them to develop practical skills in editing, production, and storytelling while contributing to a nationally recognised event.

Members of the public can watch the 20th Annual FÍS Film Awards live at fisfilmproject.ie.