Caedraw Primary School Pupils nominated for Into Film Awards 2025!

Talented pupils at Caedraw Primary School have been nominated for the Best Animation Category (Sponsored by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, UK) at this year's Into Film Awards.

The Into Film Awards celebrates and showcases the phenomenal breadth and depth of young filmmaking talent across the UK. This year, the Awards received hundreds of entries from every corner of the UK.

‘Cae yr Arth (Cae the Bear)’, was created by 30 pupils aged 9-10 and the film description reads:

Feeling disillusioned by life in a bustling city, a kindly bear stumbles upon a rare piece of nature, and decides to try and help it flourish. But despite his best efforts, the big city may not be the right environment...

The fantastic animation can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-BfR13Xkwq4sThha05NAfWxbnFQ2XzgG/view?usp=drive_link

Dawn Williams, Headteacher at Caedraw Primary School said: “Caedraw Primary School is proud to announce that our talented Year 5 pupils have been shortlisted for the Into Film Best Animation Award in Great Britain. Their animated film, Cae the Bear, is a creative triumph that showcases the very best of what the Curriculum for Wales can offer—blending storytelling, digital skills, teamwork and imagination.

“The project has not only captured the judges’ attention, but also ignited ambition in our pupils, many of whom now aspire to work in the creative industries in the future. It’s a proud moment not just for Caedraw, but for Merthyr Tydfil as a whole, placing our community in the national spotlight for all the right reasons.

“This achievement would not have been possible without the expertise and passion of Mr Beale (HLTA) and the unwavering belief of Miss Fleet, who saw the potential in every pupil involved.

“To celebrate, the entire class will be travelling to Leicester Square for the red carpet event, with six lucky pupils getting the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to walk the red carpet and meet stars of the screen.

“We couldn’t be prouder of our young animators—true ambassadors of creativity and determination.”

Imogen Phillips, age 10 Director, Animator:

“I want to be an animator when I grow up because this has inspired me. I enjoyed making the set design and directing the movements of Cae. I made a Space animation at home all by myself, and showed it in school assembly. I felt really proud. We have so much fun making stories out of our imagination and telling them in an animation.”

Livvie Lewis age 10 Actor, Animator:

“I loved doing the acting out. I had to act out the movements of Cae and expressions. Animation makes me use my imagination and I love storytelling. When I am older I would like to work in movie making.”

Oliver Richards age 10 Editor and Chief Animator:

“The tricky part was having to make sure we didn't make any mistakes as it's a big process to go back and change the frames. Although when we made a couple of mistakes with Cae's eyes, it actually made it better and it was funny. It shows we can't always be perfect.  I enjoyed the editing and helping my class to animate. I would like to work in animation and film when I grow up.”

Cllr Gareth Lewis, Cabinet Member for Education commented: “Huge congratulations to the talented pupils at Caedraw Primary School for their nomination. It's amazing to see their hard work and creativity being recognised on a national level. Well done to the students and their teachers!”

While the filmmaking categories at the Into Film Awards are judged by a panel of film industry experts, including members of the Into Film board, the Audience Choice Award (proudly sponsored by Universal Pictures International) is decided by members of the public. 

Voting is open until 13:00 on Monday 2 June 2025, with the winner to be revealed at the Into Film Awards ceremony on Tuesday 24 June.

To cast your vote, follow the link below and scroll down to ‘Cae Yr Arth’.

News & Views - Vote now for the 2025 Audience Choice Award - News - Into Film