'Dog Days - The Final Whistle' wins Best Film: 12-15

Congratulations to young people from 8SUS at St. Colmcille's High School in Crossgar, Northern Ireland, whose film Dog Days - The Final Whistle has won Best Film: 12-15 (sponsored by Warner Bros. Discovery) at the Into Film Awards 2026.

Dog Days - The Final Whistle is a heart-warming sports comedy that sees a young lad distraught when he learns his dog is sick and requires a very expensive medicine. So, when the annual long-kick competition returns with a £10,000 prize, it seems his prayers are answered - if only he can find it within himself to score the decisive kick.

St. Colmcille's previously won the Audience Choice Award in 2024 for their film Cereal Killers, while in 2025 they were named as one of our Filmmaking Champions for their whole-school commitment to filmmaking.

"Pupils were provided with an immersive experience of filmmaking", explained teacher Victoria Polly, "including the opportunity to learn about genre, setting, plot, and characterisation, as well as learning how to write scripts and utilise camera angles."

"Elements of filmmaking were woven into normal lessons. We witnessed energy, enthusiasm, laughter, and - of course - competition emerging from our pupils. Our approach ensured that all pupils were involved, and in the aspects of filmmaking they find most interesting, be it acting, using camera and recording equipment, directing, or story-boarding."

Based in a small, rural community, where young people face a number of challenges and limited access to opportunities and the arts, St. Colmcille's goes above and beyond in using film to broaden the horizons of its pupils and open up a world of possibilities.