Transition Year students from across Cork City and County came together on Thursday, 26th March at Fota Wildlife Park’s Education, Conservation and Research Centre for the 2026 Rubbish Film Festival Awards, a joint event hosted by Cork County Council and Cork City Council.

The Rubbish Film Festival, an award-winning national initiative, challenges students to create impactful one-minute films focused on climate change, sustainability, waste reduction, and responsible consumption. Through hands-on digital storytelling workshops, students develop key media, editing and communication skills, while creatively exploring solutions to environmental challenges.

At the Awards, students took centre stage to showcase their work and inspire further action in environmental education, and awards were presented to both Cork County Council and Cork City Council schools. The Best Film Awards were presented to Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí for their film, Stop Dreaming and St. Angela's College for their film, At What Cost. Runner Up Awards were presented to Pobalscoil na Tríonóide and Terence MacSwiney Community College while Patrician Academy and Mount Mercy College took home the top prizes for the Poster Competition. Special Impact Awards were also presented to St. Colman's Community College and Nano Nagle College for their films.