Derry students celebrated at CCEA's Moving Image Arts Showcase 2022

It was lights, camera and action for over 600 of Northern Ireland’s most creative young filmmakers and animators as CCEA’s Moving Image Arts Showcase returned to the big screen this week.

The two-day event, supported by Northern Ireland Screen, Foyle Film Festival, City of Derry Crystal and Cinemagic Film and Television Festival, once again brought together GCSE, AS and A Level students to see their work on the big screen. The showcase was the first in three years, following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, and the films and animations on show brought to life an array of genres for the audience.

Hosted at Brunswick Moviebowl, Derry and Cineworld, Belfast, students in attendance benefitted from meeting established industry professionals and attending a careers fair after the Belfast ceremony.

St Columb’s College pupils Connor McDonagh ('Anti-Air') and Caolan Kivelehan (‘The Golden Banana’) were awarded joint fourth Place and fifth place respectively for GCSE Best Animation Film.

CCEA’s Temporary Director of Examinations, Amanda Swann, said: “On behalf of everyone at CCEA I wish to congratulate every student who was shortlisted for the Moving Image Arts Showcase this year. We are delighted to be back and shining a spotlight on the exceptionally high standard of creativity, imagination, and skill of our local students.  

“CCEA’s Moving Image Arts qualifications give students the opportunity to develop and refine their audio-visual literacy and creativity through hands-on learning in the craft of moving image arts. The quality of the pieces within the showcase this year not only highlight talent and hard work, but also reflect a great deal of resilience from our students, their teachers and parents/guardians after the unexpected learning challenges brought about by COVID-19.

“The return of the Moving Image Arts Showcase would not be possible without the continued support of Northern Ireland Screen and all our contributing stakeholders including, Foyle Film Festival, City of Derry Crystal, Cinemagic, Brunswick Moviebowl and Cineworld Cinemas.”

Christopher Morrison, Foyle Film Festival Programmer said: “Foyle Film Festival is delighted to present the Moving Image Arts Showcase again.  We are honoured to highlight and celebrate the talent, imagination, and creativity of the Moving Image Arts students.

“It is with a great deal of pride and pleasure that the festival provides a platform for the work of these budding young filmmakers, and we hope to be accepting the work of these students into the Oscar® and BAFTA® affiliated Light in Motion Competition in future years.”

David McConnell, Education and Careers Manager at Northern Ireland Screen commented: “We are thrilled to be working closely with CCEA in the development of Moving Image Arts and I would like to congratulate all of the students who have had their work screened at this year’s showcase. The quality of creativity on show has demonstrated yet again the breadth and depth of talent taking part in this exciting qualification.

“Northern Ireland Screen’s education work focuses on developing creative skills for young people and cultivating the local talent to help keep Northern Ireland as a prominent base for the screen industries. Events such as the Moving Image Arts Showcase are unique stepping-stones for many of these young people wanting to develop careers in this fast growing and dynamic industry and we encourage all students to participate in our ScreenWorks and Screen Academies programmes which provide visibility and understanding of the jobs available in screen industries,” concluded David.

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.