An Award-Winning Environmental Film Project for Transition Year Students.

The Rubbish Film Festival challenges students to create powerful one-minute films on environmental themes — building media skills while inspiring climate action.



What Is the Rubbish Film Festival?

The Rubbish Film Festival (RFF) is a national creative education initiative run by CreateSchool and supported by 20 Local Authorities across Ireland. It invites TY students to explore key environmental challenges — waste, plastics, climate change, water, fast fashion, consumption — through the art of digital storytelling.

Each participating class creates a series of one-minute films that combine creativity, awareness, and real-world environmental messaging.

The programme has been recognised nationally for its impact and was selected as an SDG Champion by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.



Enjoy 2025 Best Film Winner - Uprooted from O’Carolan College, Co Meath.

What Students Do

Over the course of the programme, students learn how to:

  • Develop concepts around environmental issues

  • Script and storyboard impactful one-minute films

  • Film using smartphones and accessible equipment

  • Edit using beginner-friendly digital tools

  • Create posters, titles, and promotional materials

  • Produce a behind-the-scenes video

  • Share their work in a school or county showcase

The festival structure encourages collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking — making environmental learning memorable and fun.



Programme Delivery

RFF is delivered through a variety of methods including onsite ( booked out), flexible hybrid model (booked out) and an online version (spaces available). Participate is completely free for schools!


Breakdown of the Hybrid Model

Day 1 — Online Learning

Students complete a series of interactive modules on:

  • SDGs and environmental themes

  • Filmmaking basics

  • Storyboarding

  • Team roles

  • Scripting and planning

Day 2 — In-Person Workshops

CreateSchool tutors visit the school to guide students through filming, editing, and completing their one-minute films.




Showcase & Awards

  • Each Local Authority hosts either an inperson or online regional awards

  • A national celebration recognises excellence in categories such as Best Film, Creative Changemaker,, Best Poster, Most Creative, and the Impact Award

  • Students receive certificates and schools receive sustainably sourced awards

2024 Cork Regional Awards




Why Schools Love The Rubbish Film Festival

  • Highly engaging for TY

  • Combines environmental education with digital literacy

  • Adaptable to Science, CSPE, Geography, and English

  • Provides a real deadline and real audience

  • Encourages teamwork and problem-solving

  • A perfect TY flagship project



Teachers consistently report that RFF improves:

✔ Understanding of environmental issues

✔ Digital media skills

✔ Student confidence

✔ Collaboration and communication

✔ School-wide awareness of sustainability




Impact Snapshot (2024–2025)

  • 150+ schools participating nationwide

  • 1,800 students engaged

  • 15 Local Authorities supporting delivery

  • Shortlisted for Best Media Literacy Initiative 2024

  • Recognised SDG Champion 2025



Take Part in the Next Festival

Schools can participate through:

  • Local Authority Environmental Awareness Officers

  • Direct school-to-programme bookings

Find out more about the festival



Bookings are still open for online entries 2025/2026.