The Rubbish Film Festival, an award-winning national initiative, challenges TY students to create one-minute films tackling key environmental issues, including climate change, sustainability, and waste reduction. The festival, funded by Meath County Council, empowers young people to use digital storytelling to raise awareness and drive action.
This year, students from 16 Meath schools took part in onsite workshops, each with 12 students per class, where they developed their filmmaking, editing, and storytelling skills under the guidance of industry professionals. Their final films were screened and celebrated at the event, where students also presented their projects and discussed the inspiration behind their films.
Cllr Sharon Tolan, Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council welcomed the teachers and students to the event commenting: “Young people have such a vested interest in looking after our environment. A wise person once said ‘we do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children’ and how right they were. Thankfully, in recent years our understanding of the importance of our relationship with mother earth has grown and it is safe to say that we now understand how important it is to protect the planet on which we live.
“There has never been so much emphasis on or investment in waste management, recycling, litter, biodiversity, fast fashion, climate action, renewable energy, sustainability, marine and air pollution. We have the budget, we have the tools, we have the knowledge and the solutions – But we must pick up the pace.”
She thanked the groups for their interest and their focus on the environment.
All movies were screened during the ceremony, and awards were then presented to the winning entries which included:
Best Film Award (Meath Section) – ‘Uprooted’ by O’Carolan College, Nobber
Runner-Up – ‘Planet B’ by Scoil Mhuire Secondary School, Trim
Best Poster – ‘Pollution Break’ by Coláiste na Mí, Johnstown
Impact Award – Coláiste Ríoga, Dunshaughlin
"This event is a testament to the creativity, passion, and commitment of Meath's young people in using media to highlight environmental issues," said Bernadine Carry, Environmental Education Officer at Meath County Council. "Through the Rubbish Film Festival, students have not only developed practical skills in filmmaking but have also become more conscious advocates for sustainability in their communities. This year’s Rubbish Film Festival has engaged over 1,800 students in 150 schools nationwide, with Meath students playing a key role in its success.”
The Rubbish Film Festival has been widely recognised for its impact, winning the Green Stakeholder Award at the All-Ireland Sustainability Awards and receiving high commendations at the Digital Education Awards and Media Literacy Ireland Awards.