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Film

• Prescribed Films for Students Commencing Junior Cycle in September 2021, 2022 and 2023 arrow_drop_down

  Below you will find a guide to the prescribed films for junior cycle English for the student cohorts commencing Junior Cycle in 2021, 2022 and 2023, including a synopsis, themes and the film trailer. 

  * Please note the following films are available to rent or buy on several platforms and websites.

  Speed Trailering

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download file

  The Farthest

  File type: YouTube

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  The Farthest - Emer Reynolds [2017 - Running Time: 2hrs]close

  The Farthest is a documentary.
  
  It charts the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 space probe missions from their inception to launch in 1977. The documentary follows the information that has been gathered about our solar system and simultaneously explores humankind's curiosity about the world and solar system around us.

   

   

  Setting: The documentary features contemporary and archival footage and interviews of those involved with of the launch and monitoring of the Voyager probes

  Genre: Scientific documentary

  Some Themes: Human endeavour, exploration, communication, curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge, science and technology

   

   

  The official NASA website of Voyager 1 

  https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/ 

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  Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

  File type: YouTube

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  Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse - Bob Persichetti, Ramsey, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothmanclose

  [2018 - Running Time: 1hr 56mins]

  Brooklyn teenager, Miles Morales, suddenly develops mysterious powers that transform him into Spider-Man. When he meets an alternative Peter Parker, he realizes that there are others who share his special talents. Miles must now battle the evil Kingpin, a villain who can open portals to other universes and pull different versions of Spider-Man into our world.

   

  Setting: Brooklyn, New York City – however, it is also set in the Marvel Multiverse, a collection of alternate universes where Miles Morales lives on Earth-1610.

  Genre: Superhero sci-fi

  Some Themes: Resilience, good versus evil, relationships, friendships, family life

   

   

  Q&A with the cast​ 

  ​ 

  Q&A  with the directors 

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  The Elephant Man

  File type: YouTube

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  The Elephant Man - David Lynch [1980 - Running Time: 2hrs 4mins]close

  The film tells the true story of Joseph Merrick, a man born with distorted features, at the end of the 19th century. He is discovered in a Victorian circus by surgeon Fredrick Treves. Treves pays Mr Bytes, his owner, to take him. Merrick does not communicate well, and Treves begins a programme of socialisation. Through a series of events, Merrick becomes well known in Victorian society. Although he achieves almost celebrity status, the film highlights the dehumanising impact of difference.

   

   

  Setting: Late 19th century London

  Genre: Historical drama

  Some Themes: Good versus evil, love, dark versus light, disability 

   

  Interview with the director, David Lynch 

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6AoMU7Tsfs 

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  Strangers on a Train

  File type: YouTube

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  Strangers on a Train - Alfred Hitchcock [1951 - Running Time: 1hr 41mins]close

  In Alfred Hitchcock's adaptation of the popular thriller, tennis star Guy Haines (Farley Granger) is furious by his wife's refusal to finalise their divorce procedures so he can marry the senator's daughter, Anne (Ruth Roman). He starts up a conversation with a stranger, Bruno Anthony (Robert Walker), and unknowingly sets in motion a deadly chain of events. One thing leads to another, which leads to a murder, with Guy seen as murder suspect number one...

   

   

  Setting: The train, amusement parks, the Mortons’ home

  Genre: Thriller

  Some Themes: Relationships, light and dark, appearances, double lives, fear, deceit, social structures, politics

   

  Film trailer from Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers 

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  Little Women

  File type: YouTube

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  Little Women - Greta Gerwig [2019 - Running Time: 2hrs 15mins]close

  The story follows the March sisters through adolescence, as they find love, and find their place in the world. Each of the March sisters has at least one major character flaw that she struggles to overcome.

   

   

  Setting: Concord, MA and New York City, USA

  Genre: Period melodrama

  Some Themes: Friendship, love, relationships, overcoming adversity, family, the role of women/gender roles

   

   

  Interview with the cast (courtesy of CinemaBlend)

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsU7jkaGnXc 

   

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  The Princess Bride

  File type: YouTube

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  The Princess Bride - Rob Reiner [1987 - Running Time: 1hr 38mins]close

  A fairy tale adventure about a beautiful young woman and her one true love. He must find her after a long separation and save her. They must battle the evils of the mythical kingdom of Florin to be reunited with each other. Based on the William Goldman novel "The Princess Bride" which earned its own loyal audience.

   

   

  Setting: The fictional medieval Kingdom of Florin

  Genre: Romantic adventure

  Some Themes: Love, betrayal, revenge, courage, good versus evil

   

  Dedicated film website - https://www.princessbrideforever.com/ 

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  I am Not a Witch

  File type: YouTube

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  I am Not a Witch - Rungano Nyoni [2017 - Running Time: 1hr 30mins]close

  Shula, an eight-year-old orphan village girl, is denounced as a witch after a minor misunderstanding by an anxious neighbour. Following a witch-trial, she is found guilty and sentenced to life on a state-run witch camp. There, she is anchored to a long white ribbon and told that if she ever tries to run away, she will turn into a goat. As time passes, Shula settles into her new life, but she is forced to make a tough decision- resign herself to life on the camp or take a risk for freedom.

   

   

  Setting: A remote village in Zambia

  Genre: Drama

  Some Themes: Gender, superstition, identity, social structures

   

   

  Interview with the director, Rungano Nyoni: 

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6fcEVsMcOQ 

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  His and Hers

  File type: YouTube

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  His and Hers- Ken Wardrop [2009 Running Time: 1hr 20mins]close

  The film follows a sequential structure from youngest to oldest. We begin with a toddler's perspective and end with an elderly lady reflecting on love and life. The documentary explores an array of feelings these women hold towards their partners, boyfriends, husbands, and sons. As it progresses the men that are being discussed merge into a portrait of one lovable individual.

   

  Setting: Ireland, mainly the Irish Midlands

  Genre: Documentary where 70 women, all from the Irish midlands, arranged in ascending order of age, tell stories about the men in their lives

  Some Themes: Relationships, love, gender, culture

   

  Interview  with the director from IFTN 

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  Kes

  File type: YouTube

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  Name of Film: Kes - Kenneth Loach [1969 - Running Time: 1hr 53mins]close

  Billy is fifteen years old and growing up in a grim town where the economic and social backdrop is poor. Boys usually leave school early, without qualifications, to work in the mines. Billy's half-brother, Jud, picks on him, he is bullied by his classmates, and he acts out in school. His outlook is not very positive. It looks like he will follow Jud into the mines although he really doesn’t want to. When Billy takes a kestrel from a farm it gives him a sense of purpose. For the first time he begins to realise there is a world beyond the mines.

   

  Setting: South Yorkshire, late 1960s

  Genre: Drama

  Some Themes: Familial bonds, relationships, childhood, education systems, class structure, nature

   

  Film guide from Intofilm

  You may need to create an account to access the material. 

   close

  Sing Street

  File type: YouTube

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  Sing Street -John Carney [ 2016 - Running Time: 1hr 46mins]close

  Conor's parents are struggling financially and about to separate. As a result, Conor has to change schools. However, big changes are not only happening in Conor’s family, Ireland is also going through a time of great transformation. Conor and his friends form a band that becomes part of this, giving hope for future generations.

   

  Setting: 1980s Dublin

  Genre: Musical coming-of-age comedy drama

  Some Themes: Growing up, identity, dreams versus reality, the importance of music, relationships, education

   

  Study guide  from The Danske Institut (a 20 page downloadable pdf) 

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  Suffragette

  File type: YouTube

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  Suffragette -Sarah Gavron [ 2015- Running Time: 1hr 46mins]close

  A young laundry worker, Maud Watts, gets accidentally swept up in a suffragette riot. Maud's continued subsequent involvement in the Suffrage Movement brings her into conflict with her family and employer as she and her fellow suffragettes campaign to secure the vote for women.

   

  Setting: Set in London across the late 19th and early 20th century, the film focuses on a turning point of the Suffragette campaign

  Genre: Historical drama

  Some Themes: Gender inequality, power, poverty and conflict, friendship, loyalty and police brutality

   

  Interview with the director  

   close

  Wadjda

  File type: YouTube

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  Wadjda - Haifaa al- Mansour [ 2012.-Running Time: 1hr 38mins]close

  The plot is cleverly based around the idea of Wadjda's fascination with owning a green bike. However, women in Saudi Arabia are forbidden to own or ride their own bikes. Wadjda is not deterred by these laws and starts to save up for the bike. She enters a Quran recitation competition, along with an array of other entertaining endeavors, all in a bid to buy the freedom of a bike and what it represents.

   

  Setting: Riyadh, the Saudi Arabian capital in the early 2000s

  Genre: Drama

  Some Themes: Gender inequality, discrimination, unconditional friendships, traditions

   

  Teaching guide from journeysinfilm.org (an 86 page resource on the film) 

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  Moonrise Kingdom

  File type: YouTube

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  Moonrise Kingdom - Wes Anderson [ 2012 - Running Time: 1hr 34mins]close

  Moonrise Kingdom is an American coming-of-age, comedy-drama film. It tells the story of an orphan boy (Sam) who makes an escape from his boy scout’s camp to unite with his pen pal and love interest. Feeling estranged from their guardians and rejected by their peers, both Sam and Suzy run away to an isolated beach. Meanwhile, the island's police captain organises a search party of scouts and family members to find the runaways. 

   

  Setting: A fictional island off the coast of New England called New Penzance

  Genre: Comedy adventure film 

  Some Themes: Growing up, family, imagination, young love/sexuality, resilience

   

   

   

  Film guide from Intofilm 

  You may need to create an account to access the material. 

   close

  Hotel Rwanda

  File type: YouTube

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  Hotel Rwanda- Terry George [ 2004 - Running Time: 2hrs]close

  Inspired by true events, Hotel Rwanda is a historical drama. In April 1994, tensions between the Hutu-controlled government and Tutsi rebels led to civil war and genocide in Rwanda. The film documents Paul Rusesabagina's efforts to save the lives of over a thousand people who sheltered from from machete-wielding Hutu militiamen during the worst of the massacres.

   

  Setting: This film centres around the Rwandan genocide of 1994

  Genre: Hotel Rwanda is a drama depicting the true story of Paul Rusesabagina - a man who put his own life on the line to save over a thousand refugees who faced certain death at the hands of their own countrymen in a tribal civil war in the African state of Rwanda in 1994

  Some Themes: Genocide, political corruption, and the repercussions of violence, racism, discrimination, chaos and order, the will to survive

   

  Teacher's resource  from filmeducation.org (6 page pdf) 

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  Man on Wire

  File type: YouTube

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  Man on Wire- James Marsh [ 2008 - Running Time: 1hr 34mins]close

  Man on Wire is a biographical, documentary film. The film chronicles tightrope walker Philippe Petit's daring, but illegal, high-wire routine performed in 1974 between New York City's, World Trade Centre - The Twin Towers. Crafted like a heist film, it shows rare footage of the preparations for the event, photographic stills, enactments as well as present-day interviews with the participants. It was considered "the artistic crime of the century".

   

  Setting: Man on Wire and follows the high-wire stunt between the Twin Towers of New York’s World Trade Centre by Philippe Petit in 1974

  Genre: British-American biographical documentary film

  Some Themes: Life and death, dangerous stunts, illegal activity, fame and consumerism and extreme sports, relationship breakdown

   

  Interview with Philippe Petit from Chicago Humanities Festival 

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  Hunt for the Wilderpeople

  File type: YouTube

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  Hunt for the Wilderpeople- Taiki Waititi [ 2016 - Running Time: 1hr 41mins]close

  Hunt for the Wilderpeople is an adventure film. Reclusive country folk, Bella and Hector, become foster parents to Ricky, a problem child from the city. After some adjustment, things go reasonably well. However, Bella's death means that Hector must now look after Ricky himself, and they haven't been getting along. Moreover, her death causes Child Services to decide to send Ricky back to the orphanage. Ricky refuses to go back and runs away, ultimately sparking a national manhunt for him and Hector.

   

  Setting: Auckland, New Zealand

  Genre: Adventure comedy-drama

  Some Themes: Family, survival and self-reliance, loss, resilience, growing up, nature

   

   

  Interview with the director 

   

  Interview  with cast members 

   close

• Getting Started With... Guides arrow_drop_down

  Getting started with... Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download

  Getting started with... The Princess Bride

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download

  Getting started with... The Farthest

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download

  Getting started with... Hunt for the Wilderpeople

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download

  Getting started with... Little Women

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download

  Getting started with... Sing Street

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download

  Getting started with... Moonrise Kingdom

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download

  Getting started with... Wadjda

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download

  Getting started with... Man on Wire

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download

  Getting started with... Kes

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download

  Getting started with... Strangers on a Train

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download

  Getting started with... His and Hers

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download

  Getting started with... Suffragette

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download

  Getting started with... I Am Not a Witch

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download

  Getting started with... The Elephant Man

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download

  Getting started with... Hotel Rwanda

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download

• Short Films arrow_drop_down

  Below are some suggested films and resources to use with Junior Cycle English classrooms.

  Please be aware that there are sensitive issues in some of these films. 

  We recommend that all films are watched before exploration in the classroom.

  Working with Short Film

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download

  Analyse a Scene

  

  File type: PDF

  View or download file

  Camera Techniques

  

  File type: PDF

  View or download file

  Storyboard Template

  

  File type: PDF

  View or download file

  A Selection of Short FIlms

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download

  The Crush

  File type: YouTube

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  The Crush - Director Michael Creagh (2010)close

  This short comedy follows an 8 year old schoolboy who is so besotted with his teacher that he challenges her boyfriend to a duel…to the death. (15 mins approx.)

   close

  Signs

  File type: YouTube

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  Signs - Director: Vincent Gallagher (2010)close

  This short animated comedy is about discovering the magic in what we see every day - sometimes you just have to look hard enough. The director got the idea for Signs when he noticed the boy in a ‘children crossing’ sign had been replaced with a Grim Reaper. (3 mins approx.)

   close

  New Boy

  File type: YouTube

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  New Boy - Director: Steph Green (2007)close

  Based on a short story by Roddy Doyle, this poignant and comedic short film deftly captures the experience of being the new boy in school through the eyes of Joseph, a nine-year-old African boy. This might be particularly suitable towards the beginning of a new school year. (12 mins approx.)

   close

  The Wonderful Story of Kelvin Kind

  File type: YouTube

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  The Wonderful Story of Kelvin Kind - Director: Ian Power (2004)close

  Kelvin Kind, a wonderful loser with a heart of gold, is blissfully unaware of his own loneliness. But when a beautiful girl moves into the apartment across the hall, Kelvin’s solitary world is turned upside down. As he tries in vain to get the girl’s attention, Kelvin is soon forced to realise that being in love isn’t easy for nice guys… (15 mins approx.)

   close

  The White Dress

  File type: YouTube

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  The White Dress - Director: Vanessa Gildea (2006)close

  The White Dress is the story of a girl on her communion day, but unlike most other little girls, she is making her communion all on her own. (4 mins approx.)

   close

  My Strange Grandfather

  File type: YouTube

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  My Strange Grandfather - Director: Dina Velikovskaya (2011)close

  A creative person often seems weird, funny and a little bit crazy. Even his friends and family do not always understand him and often feel ashamed of him. But sometimes he can create a real miracle - merely from garbage. (8 mins approx.)

   close

  Badly Drawn Roy

  File type: YouTube

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  Badly Drawn Roy - Director: Alan Shannon (2004)close

  Meet Roy, Ireland’s only living animated character, born into an ordinary ‘live action’ family. Roy is intelligent but unfortunately for him he is badly drawn. His failure to gain steady employment finally leads him to Hollywood in search of fame, fortune and corrective surgery. (22 mins approx.)

   close

  Yu Ming is Ainm Dom

  File type: YouTube

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  Yu Ming is Ainm Dom - Director: Daniel O’ Hara (2003)close

  Yu Ming Is Ainm Dom (My Name Is Yu Ming) is the story of a young Chinese man, who is disillusioned with his dead-end job at a supermarket. A spin of the globe leads him to choose Ireland as the destination for his new life and further research informs him that the official language of that country is Gaelic. Arriving in Dublin speaking the language, he is puzzled when nobody can understand him. (13 mins approx.)

   close

  Purl

  File type: YouTube

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  Purl - Director: Kristen Lester (2018)close

  Purl is a ball of yarn that goes to work in a male dominated start up company called B.R.O. Capital. Antics ensue as Purl seeks to gain acceptance in the fast-paced environment. (8 mins approx.)

   close

  The Silent Child

  File type: YouTube

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  The Silent Child - Director: Chris Overton (2017)close

  Winner of the 2017 Oscar for best live-action short film, The Silent Child is the story of a deaf 6-year-old girl named Libby who lives in a world of silence until a caring social worker gives her the gift of communication. (20 mins approx.)

   close

  Snack Attack

  File type: YouTube

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  Snack Attack - Director: Andrew Cadelago (2012)close

  This comedic yet poignant short film tells the story of an old lady and her intention to eat some homemade cookies, but a teenage boy has other plans for them... (5 mins approx.)

   close

  Alike

  File type: YouTube

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  Alike - Director: Daniel Martínez Lara & Rafa Cano Méndez (2015)close

  In a busy life, Copi is a father who tries to teach the right way to his son, Paste. But ... what is the correct path? (8 mins approx.)

   close

  Corto Ian

  File type: YouTube

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  Corto Ian - Director: Abel Goldfarb (2018)close

  A short film that appeals to emotions. A crush on the heart so that we all participate in the construction of a more inclusive world. (9 mins approx.)

   close

  Hair Love

  File type: YouTube

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  Hair Love - Director: Matthew A. Cherry (2019)close

  Hair Love is a heartfelt animated short film that centres around the relationship between an African-American father, his daughter Zuri, and the most daunting task a father could ever come across – doing his daughter's hair for the first time. Please note: This film deals with particular health issues. (6 mins approx.)

   close

  The Present

  File type: YouTube

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  The Present - Director: Farah Nabulsi (2014)close

  In this animated family drama, we are introduced to a young boy, whose mother has just gotten him a present. As he opens it, we meet a three-legged puppy. The puppy is at first rejected by the boy, but the pair eventually warm to each other. (4 mins approx.)

   close

  Oktapodi

  File type: YouTube

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  Oktapodi - Director: Julien Bocabeille (2007)close

  This romantic comedy short is about a pair of love-struck octopuses who through a series of comical events are separated and must find each other. (3 mins approx.)

   close

  Mical

  File type: YouTube

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  Mical - Director: Yew Weng Ho (2020)close

  Mical is the emotionally-charged story of Mike’s dyslexia and how his mother’s persistence and determination changed everything. (20 mins approx.)

   close

  Alma

  File type: YouTube

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  Alma - Director: Rodrigo Blaas (2009)close

  The film is a fantasy animation that centres around a young girl who is lured into an enchanted toy store. Drawn in by its beautiful collection of dolls, including one that looks just like her, this film might be particularly suitable at Halloween. (5 mins approx.)

   close

  Janey Mary

  File type: YouTube

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  Janey Mary - Director: Paul Brady (2007)close

  Based on the original short story by Joseph O'Connor, Janey Mary tells the tale of a five-year-old girl in 1940's Dublin, who is sent out by her mother onto the cold and wet winter streets to beg for food. This film might be particularly suitable at Christmas time. (19 mins approx.)

   close

  In a Heartbeat

  File type: YouTube

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  In a Heartbeat - Director: Esteban Bravo (2017)close

  This is a short animated coming-of-age film about a boy and his crush. At first he is too shy to admit to his crush how he feels. Until one day his heart pops out of his chest and chases the boy of his dreams. (4 mins approx.)

   close

  Soar

  File type: YouTube

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  Soar - Director: Alyce Tzue (2014)close

  A short 3D animated film about the perseverance of a young girl who dreams of becoming an airplane engineer. One day a tiny pilot drops out of the sky and she endeavors to return him and his aircraft to the clouds again. (6 mins approx.)

   close

  You can also explore and discover a variety of suitable short films to explicitly teach with junior cycle English classes at the following websites:

  Fís Éireann-Screen Ireland

  

  File type: Website

  Click to view

  Short of the Week

  

  File type: Website

  Click to view

• Film in Junior Cycle English - Spinning Stories out of Light arrow_drop_down

  The following workshop from Online Cluster CPD 2020/21 may support you in the English classroom.

  Film in Junior Cycle English - Spinning Stories out of Light

  

  File type: Website

  Click to view

• Further Supports arrow_drop_down

  Spider- Man:Into the Spider-Verse: Frames per second

  File type: YouTube

  Click image to play

  Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Watch and Respond

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download

  Animated Film Glossary

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download

  Exploring Aspects of Film in Junior Cycle

  

  File type: PDF

  Click to view or download