Students from Moate Community School and Convent of Mercy, Roscommon have been praised for their film entries in The Gathering Short Film Competition.
Leanne Claffey, Ciara Cullinane, Kellie Ann Cornally, and Mark Fallon from Moate Community School made a video called Moate Matters – MCS which highlights the many things that Westmeath has to offer visitors of The Gathering Ireland 2013, including Dún na Sí Heritage Centre.
Olivia Molloy from Convent of Mercy in Roscommon produced a video called The Gathering 2013 County Roscommon which highlights some of Roscommon’s attractions including Roscommon Castle and the County Museum.
The students took part in the north west regional final of The Gathering Ireland Short Film Competition for transition year students, supported by Bank of Ireland.
They joined students from schools throughout the north west in the Clarion Hotel Sligo on Wednesday March 6, where 10 shortlisted films were judged by a panel made up of representatives of The Gathering Ireland 2013, the Department of Education, and the local Bank of Ireland.
The competition was launched last year to encourage transition year students to be part of The Gathering Ireland 2013 by showcasing all that they love about their home town through the medium of film.
The winner of the north west regional final was Abbey Vocational School, Donegal with their project Hearts Like Mountains. This entry goes forward to the national final, which will be held in Bank of Ireland on College Green, Dublin on Thursday March 21.
Congratulating the shortlisted schools, Fionnan Nestor of The Gathering Ireland 2013 said: “It’s wonderful to see local schools getting involved. The quality of the films we’ve seen tonight is excellent and we’re honoured to use these videos to inspire more people to visit Ireland in the year of The Gathering.”
Commenting on the regional final, the judging panel affirmed that there were “very strong and creative entries from the region”.
Other regional finals will be held over the coming days to establish a final shortlist of five short films. In advance of the national final the five finalists’ short films will be posted to BOI YouTube where members of the public will be invited to vote for their favourite.
