The annual Pembrokeshire Schools' Film and Animation Festival took place last week.

The glittering Oscars-style event was bigger than ever this year and showcased 53 films and animations.

Once again many of the young film makers dressed up for the event arriving in limousines at the Merlin Theatre in Haverfordwest before being pictured on the red carpet. Organised by Pembrokeshire County Council's education department, the annual festival aims to give pupils the opportunity to display their work to a wide audience, as well as view productions made by other students.

Each film went before a panel of judges with the winners going forward to represent Pembrokeshire at the National Schools Film and Animation Festival to be held at the BFI Southbank Centre in London later this year.

Clr. Huw George, cabinet member for children and young people, presented each participating school with a Pembrokeshire Oscar - a recycled aluminium Razorbill statuette by sculptor Dawnie Flewitt.

Schools also received a review of their films from a panel of judges - Michelle Ryan, director of media studies Trinity College Carmarthen; Dave Welton, wildlife film-maker and director; Janice Jenkins, lecturer in film studies at Pembrokeshire College. Organiser Duncan Whitehurst said the festival gave schools the chance to celebrate their work and see it on the big screen.

"Film and animation in school is an inspiring way of bringing different subjects of the curriculum together - like ICT, literacy, music and history," he said.

"It also gives young people the opportunity to work creatively with the moving image and develop an understanding of the technical and creative process that allows the effective expression of a story, a mood or an idea."

Results:

Key Stage 1 Best Film or Animation: winner - Pennar Infants 'Y Siarc, Mr.Blaidd a Dolffin'; Highly Commended - Hakin Infants for 'Our Garden' Key Stage 2 Best Film: Winner - Roch C.P.School for 'What Happens to Our Waste?'; Highly Commended - Ysgol Bro Ingli for 'Mae'r Gelyn yn Gwrando' Lamphey CP for 'Tudor Medical Cures' and Ysgol Glan Cleddau for 'Beth Syd Digwydd i'r Fforestydd Glaw?' Key Stage 2 Best AnimationÚ Joint winners - Orielton CP for 'Recycled Beach Arcade' and Saundersfoot CP for 'Hickory Dickory Dock'; Highly Commended - Templeton CP for 'Don't Look Now'. Key Stage 3 and 4 Best Film or Animation: Winner - Ysgol y Preseli for 'Homeless'; Highly Commended - Greenhill School for 'PE Skills DVD'.