As a partner of the 22nd edition of Mon Premier Festival, ESRA participated in the closing ceremony held in Paris on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. At the event, the school presented the TUMO Youth Jury Award to the documentary *Irish Travellers*, directed by Alexander Murphy. Second-year animation students from ESRA Paris were also invited to this event, which is dedicated to introducing young audiences to cinema.
ESRA is partnering with Mon Premier Festival
From October 21 to 27, 2026, Mon Premier Festival took over several Parisian movie theaters for its 22nd edition, offering children, teens, and their families a program featuring preview screenings, animated films, cinematic discoveries, and meet-and-greets.
Organized by the Enfances au Cinéma association, at the initiative of the City of Paris, this event aims to make cinema accessible to young children and to help them discover new cinematic worlds.
This year, ESRA joined the festival as a partner for the TUMO Youth Jury Prize, thereby reaffirming its commitment to knowledge transfer, film education, and fostering a new generation of film enthusiasts.
"Irish Travellers" Wins the TUMOA Youth Jury Prize
Earlier this Tuesday, October 27, during the closing ceremony held at the Cinéma des Cinéastes in Paris, ESRA was pleased to present the TUMO Youth Jury Award to the film *Irish Travellers*, directed by Alexander Murphy.
Composed of young participants from TUMO Paris, the digital creation school at the Forum des images, the jury selected the winners from among the films that had their premiere screenings at the festival.
After two hours of deliberation, the young jurors chose to honor *Irish Travellers*, a Franco-Irish documentary that follows the daily life of the O’Reilly family, members of the Traveller community in Ireland.
Screened at the Critics' Week section of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, the film offers a sensitive and intimate portrait of this family, exploring their daily lives, relationships, and way of life.
This award highlights the importance of giving young viewers a voice and valuing their perspectives on films.
ESRA Animation Students in Attendance at the Ceremony
For this edition, second-year animation students at ESRA Paris were invited to the closing ceremony of Mon Premier Festival.
An opportunity to experience a cultural event geared toward young audiences and to explore the diversity of the works presented as part of the festival.
Their participation is part of an educational initiative that encourages students to develop their knowledge of film, discover different artistic worlds, and engage with the events that shape the industry.
For aspiring animation professionals, these events also provide an opportunity to broaden their perspective on storytelling techniques and creative works aimed at different audiences.
A partnership dedicated to promoting the discovery and appreciation of cinema
Through its partnership with Mon Premier Festival, ESRA continues its commitment to filmmaking and supporting young talent.
By supporting the TUMO Youth Jury Prize, the school helps foster curiosity, critical thinking, and self-expression among young audiences, while highlighting their role in cultural and cinematic life.
Congratulations to Alexander Murphy on this award, as well as to the young members of the TUMO jury for their dedication and their perspective on film!
To learn more about the award-winning film, check out "Irish Travellers" on the City of Paris website.
