NI’s promising young film and animation students celebrated by Oscar-winning filmmakers at CCEA’s Moving Image Arts Showcase 2023
Date Posted: November 28, 2023
Northern Ireland’s most talented young filmmakers were recognised at CCEA’s annual Moving Image Arts Showcase on 22 and 23 November which also celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Moving Image Arts subject.
Hosted at Brunswick Moviebowl, Derry/Londonderry, and Cineworld, Belfast; over 600 students, teachers, and industry experts attended the awards to celebrate the success of NI’s Moving Image Arts GCSE, AS and A level students.
The annual showcase was supported once again by Northern Ireland Screen, Foyle Film Festival, City of Derry Crystal and Cinemagic. The event showcased students’ films across a range of genres and acknowledged the high quality of student achievement with the presentation of prestigious Moving Image Arts Awards by industry professionals.
The ceremony has gained recognition from leading figures in the film industry. This year’s guest speakers, and award presenters, included Oscar and BAFTA award winning writer, producer, and director, Ross White, film and TV producer Pearce Cullen, Co-Founder and Director at Aura Studios, Eva Robinson, Co-Founding Director at Taunt Studios, Fiona McLaughlin, and storyboard artist and illustrator Adam Pescott.
Gerry Campbell, CCEA Chief Executive, said: “Congratulations to every student who was shortlisted for the Moving Image Arts Showcase this year. We continue to be inspired by the creativity, imagination, and skill of our local students. This year is extra special to us as we celebrate 20 years of CCEA’s Moving Image Arts subject which launched with an intake of 69 students and now attracts 1500 students across GCSE, AS and A level!
“Thank you to our showcase partners Northern Ireland Screen, Foyle Film Festival, City of Derry Crystal, and Cinemagic for your continued support in making this incredible event happen,” Gerry concluded.
CCEA’s Moving Image Arts qualification was first launched as the ‘Film School in School’ in 2003 and has experienced year-on-year growth. It is recognised for its pathway into creative careers such as screenwriting, graphic and games design, and directing.
A recent research study carried out by Ulster University, funded by Northern Ireland Screen, cited that the reason young people chose to undertake a Moving Image Arts qualification fell into two categories – love of and interest in film and wanting to work in the creative industries in the future. Respondents of the annual survey said the qualification is useful in relation to practical work, editing, creating short films, understanding the basics, communication skills, exploring different aspects of film, learning different film techniques, understanding directors thought processes and getting in touch with their creative side.*
Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen commented: “Since its inception 20 years ago, the Moving Image Arts qualification has shaped the career aspirations of many local young filmmakers and continues to leave a legacy of creativity within the Northern Ireland screen industry. Congratulations to all the emerging young filmmakers showcasing their work at the Moving Images Art showcase in Derry-Londonderry and Belfast this year.”
Commenting on the showcase, film and TV Producer Pearce Cullen, said: “Experiencing students’ pieces of work today was nothing short of inspiring. It is clear to see how the Moving Image Arts showcase, and indeed the subject itself, recognises and encourages some of Northern Ireland’s most promising young filmmakers and animators and I look forward to working with them in the future as they thrive in NI’s exciting screen industry.”
Eavan King, Foyle Film Festival Film Education Programme Manager said: “Foyle Film Festival held the first Moving Image Arts awards 20 years ago and, in that time, we have celebrated so many young filmmakers, animators and creatives, many of whom have progressed into the screen industries in Northern Ireland and beyond.
“The Moving Image Arts qualification has been a game changer, providing all students the opportunity to develop knowledge, critical understanding and skills fostering a lifelong love of film. Many of these talented filmmakers have returned to screen films as part of our Oscar and BAFTA accredited Light in Motion competition at Foyle Film Festival, coming full circle from where they started from,” Eavan concluded.
Each shortlisted film was selected by a panel of experts, including representatives from Northern Ireland Screen, Into Film, ScreenWorks, Foyle Film Festival, BFI Film Academy, the Northern Ireland Creative Learning Centres, Cinemagic and CCEA Senior Teams.
The winning films were chosen for their strong production values, story, originality, and audience appeal and are listed below:
GCSE Best Film – ‘Invasion’ by Teng Xuan Tan from Nexus International School, Malaysia
GCSE Best Animated Film – ‘Mute’ by Hugo Fearon from Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School
AS Best Film – ‘Coming Home’ by Jonah Simon from Ashfield Boys High School
AS Best Animated Film – ‘Thief!’ by Eva White from Assumption Grammar School
A2 Best Film – ‘Rumination’ by Amy Warnock from Sullivan Upper School
A2 Best Animated Film (joint winners) – ‘Frog Flight’ by Caireen Ferguson from Assumption
Grammar School
and ‘Daydreaming’ by Alice Quinn from St Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel (taught at Kilkeel High School)
*Source: The Moving Image Arts in Northern Ireland: A Longitudinal Cohort Study by Ulster University
