Extending its visionary approach to film studies for
school kids, FÍS today unveiled a website to support its film programme for primary schools.
FÍS, or "vision", is a pilot programme aimed at promoting a greater appreciation of the medium of film among school children.
Directed by Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, the project is being run as part of the revised primary school curriculum and involves twenty-eight schools in the greater Dublin and Cork areas.
As well as exploring medium by the viewing and reading of film, FÍS puts the children behind the camera, allowing them to create their own films using digital cameras and editing equipment.
"The aim is to get the digital cameras into the hands of the children and letting them get on with it," said Mr Bernard McCloskey, FÍS Project's creative director.
According to Mr McCloskey, the results have so far been very encouraging, with films covering a range of areas from drama and entertainment to documentary and news programmes.
The website has a 15-minute profile of the work produced to date, culminated on behalf of the AIB - who are funding FÍS through the Department of Education.
The FÍS programme encourages teachers to explore methods to enhance the learning experience as well as providing training on the use of digital film technology in the classroom.
The website, launched today by Minister for Education and Science, Dr Michael Woods, is designed to offer support to teachers and children participating in the project.
The site includes downloadable resources for teachers and material that can be used as part of the project.