Award for film by North Tipp Traveller Youth Project
The North Tipperary Traveller Youth Project has earned first place in the Youth Group Category at Trócaire’s The Right Focus 2025 awards for their impactful documentary, Hope for Plastic Pollution.
This short film addressed the global environmental issue of plastic pollution, with a focus on its effects on their local community in Tipperary. The team used interviews and powerful visuals to emphasise the importance of collective action in tackling pollution, including local businesses and community groups that work to build a more sustainable future for both people and wildlife in the area.
The North Tipp Traveller Youth Project provides educational, cultural, and creative opportunities for young members of the Traveller community in Tipperary. Their participation in The Right Focus underscores their ongoing commitment to promoting social justice and environmental sustainability. Caoimhe Spain,16, explained why they decided to focus on pollution for their documentary. “We were noticing a lot of pollution in the local area around Thurles, so we came up with the idea of bringing different aspects of pollution, including in our water and how we can reduce it and increase our recycling efforts. We visited a company in Tipperary called Trifol Resources and saw how they recycle items to make oil. They are the first company to do this in Europe. We also visited The Cabragh Wetlands where they showed us how the community is working to preserve the wildlife there. We also did more research about the plastics in our oceans and how it is having an impact on the sealife. The project started as a small idea and it expanded.”
Supported by Irish Aid, the competition celebrates the storytelling skills and global awareness of young filmmakers who explored critical issues such as hunger, conflict, climate change, gender equality, and human rights through documentary film. Eleven films reached this year’s final, including entries from two Northern Ireland school entries and three youth groups. Over 90 young people, youth workers and educators, along with the Trócaire team watched and voted on the winning short films in two categories of the competition, which is now in its fourth year.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Gwen Dempsey, Director of Ireland Programmes at Trócaire, said: “Documentary film has long played a role in spotlighting injustice, and today’s young filmmakers are continuing that tradition with passion and purpose. The range of issues explored - ranging from war and food insecurity to plastic waste and gender inequality - reflects a deep concern for global justice and a willingness to take action.”
The Right Focus continues to inspire young filmmakers across Ireland to tackle urgent global justice issues and amplify their voices on the world stage.