Future filmmaker from Limavady High School shines at National Awards

Northern Ireland’s rising generation of filmmakers and animators were celebrated at CCEA’s annual Moving Image Arts (MIA) Showcase 2025, which recognised outstanding student work across GCSE, AS, and A level.

This year’s two-day showcase took place at The Nerve Centre, Derry, and Cineworld, Belfast, drawing an audience of more than 600 students, teachers, and industry professionals. The event highlighted the exceptional talent emerging from schools across Northern Ireland and honoured the achievements of students whose work demonstrated creativity, technical skill, and innovative storytelling.

Supported once again by Northern Ireland Screen, Foyle Film Festival, City of Derry Crystal, and Cinemagic, the showcase featured an exciting range of film genres and culminated in the presentation of the prestigious Moving Image Arts Awards by leading industry figures.

Gerry Campbell, CCEA Chief Executive, said: “Congratulations to every student shortlisted for this year’s Moving Image Arts Showcase. The imagination, ambition, and skill demonstrated by our students continue to impress and inspire us. We are also grateful to Northern Ireland Screen, Foyle Film Festival, City of Derry Crystal, and Cinemagic for their ongoing partnership and support in bringing this event to life.”

First launched in 2003 as the innovative ‘Film School in School’, the Moving Image Arts qualification has grown from an initial cohort of 69 students to more than 1,500 entrants across GCSE, AS and A level in 2025. The course has become a significant pathway into creative industries including screenwriting, games design, animation, production, and directing.

Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen, commented: “The Moving Image Arts Showcase is a testament to the creativity and drive of Northern Ireland’s young filmmakers. These students represent the future of our screen industry, but they also demonstrate the project management and creative problem-solving skills that are invaluable across many sectors.”

Eavan King, Head of Film Programmes at The Nerve Centre, added: “Foyle Film Festival hosted the first Moving Image Arts awards over 20 years ago, and since then we’ve celebrated countless talented filmmakers, animators, and creatives, many of whom have gone on to build successful careers in the screen industries.

“The MIA qualification has been transformative, sparking students’ passion for film while equipping them with the skills and understanding that will serve them long into the future.”

Shortlisted films were selected by a panel of industry experts from Northern Ireland Screen, Into Film, ScreenWorks, Foyle Film Festival, BFI Film Academy, the Northern Ireland Creative Learning Centres, Cinemagic, and senior CCEA representatives.

The winning films celebrated for their strong production values, originality, storytelling, and overall audience appeal are listed below:

GCSE Best Film - ‘Reputation’, Leo Vamos, Limavady High School

GCSE Best Animated Film – ‘Through His Eyes’, Gabrielle Dana Sum Yee Lei, Alice Smith School, Malaysia

AS Best Film – Joint 1st Place Winners - ‘Cursed’, Aaron Carter, Belfast Royal Academy; ‘Paper Wings’, Erin Williams, Sullivan Upper School, Holywood

AS Best Animated Film – ‘Showtime: My Dementia Assessment’, Cuan O’Meachair, Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock

A2 Best Film – ‘Submerged’, Ruby Donaldson, Methodist College, Belfast

A2 Best Animated Film – ' The Volunteer’, Charlie Beimers, Sullivan Upper School, Holywood