A SHORT film produced by East Lothian schoolchildren was screened at the COP26 Green Zone at the Glasgow Science Centre.

Innerwick, Longniddry, Macmerry and Dunbar Primary Schools worked with D Fie Foe film company and well-known East Lothian musician David Trouton to create an environmentally themed animated film, featuring the children’s voices and artwork.

Exploring the environment around them through ‘walking stories’, the children helped to create the film – Sound Story – entirely outdoors.

It was funded by East Lothian Youth Music Initiative, East Lothian Council Arts Service and Screen Scotland.

COP26, the United Nations climate change conference, took place in Glasgow earlier this month.

The Green Zone was where the public, civil society, indigenous peoples, youth groups, charities, academics, artists and businesses could get their voices heard through a programme of events, workshops, talks and exhibitions.

The film has also been shortlisted for the Scottish Youth Film Foundation Festival, and all 10 finalist films will be added to the Scottish National Library Moving Image Archive.

Sound Story also featured as part of East Lothian’s 3 Harbours Festival in July.

Councillor Jim Goodfellow, cabinet spokesperson for community wellbeing, said: “Congratulations to our primary school pupils for creating this inspiring animation.

“A truly collaborative production between all involved and a fantastic way for our young people to get involved with a COP26 event.

“East Lothian Council’s Arts Service and Youth Music Initiative East Lothian provide opportunities for our schools to access high-quality arts experiences and creative projects such as this.

“I am delighted that this film has been shortlisted for the Scottish Youth Film Foundation Festival and is must-see viewing for all.”

Principal teacher Aileen Kelly and P6 pupil Euan Kelly, age 10, from Dunbar Primary School, attended the screening in Glasgow representing all the young filmmakers from East Lothian.

Aileen said: “The screening in the IMAX cinema was super, and the quality of the films from all 10 finalists was incredible. We felt really privileged to be there, and to have been involved in something so worthwhile. We would like to thank Jonathan, Dave and Simone (D Fie Foe) for all their work with our school during the project.”

The pupils across the schools loved the experience of taking part and reported: “We thought it was awesome”; “It was great to see our own art work animated and we loved the voice over”; “It was exciting to see our name in the credits”; “We put so much effort in”; “It was really good and creative”.

The film can be viewed on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=Gl0-s7gqHmw