Children from Belleek Primary School have been recognised by UK-wide educational charity Into Film for their work on a project that uses short films to foster literacy skills.
Twenty P4-7 children have completed the Film Buff Challenge, a powerful educational tool with a range of supporting activities and resources to explore key themes and topics.
The school was presented with a plaque by Into Film to recognise the hard work by the children and their teacher Kevin Beattie for completing the Challenge, which is a curated selection of films aiming to open a window to the world enabling young people to watch and review short, accessible films to improve their literacy and critical thinking skills.
Into Film has a team based in Northern Ireland who delivered a workshop with the school to help them get started on writing reviews.
Into Film Northern Ireland Delivery Manager Sean Kelly said: “We want to congratulate Belleek Primary School on completing the Film Buff Challenge. They are a great example of how film can be used in the classroom as a powerful educational tool that develops and sharpens analytical and literacy abilities, while providing a basis for thought-provoking discussion.”
With a selection of films for ages 7-11 and another for ages 11-14, pupils earn silver, gold or platinum awards by watching films and writing reviews. As well as certificates along the way, Platinum Film Buffs are awarded a clapperboard keyring and are in with a chance of winning prizes.
To complete the Film Buff Challenge the children at Belleek Primary watched ten short films touching on a variety of themes linked to the curriculum on Into Film+, the charity’s free educational streaming service, which is available to schools.
Teachers wishing to take up Film Buff Challenge can visit https://www.intofilm.org/resources/1693 for details. Into Film are also offering free workshops to introduce the Challenge. To book your class workshop email intofilmni@intofilm.org
