Mount Sackville secondary school at Chapelizod has a certain celluloid chic. Cerise pink knee-high DM boots, whiskers, tails and wigs are just a few of the teaching props that are hits among students. A teacher in the guise of a Liz Taylor or a Linda Granger strolling down the corridor hardly raises an eyebrow. Forget the MTV awards or the over-rated Hollywood Oscars: Mount Sackville is too busy paying homage to its own home-grown stars of the silver screen - the entire Transition Year.

For the past 12 years Transition Year pupils have written, produced, directed, shot, edited and acted in short film productions under the direction of their television communication's teacher Christine Crotty. Their reputation for excellence in the field of communications and the popularity of their annual premiere night is growing. Last year one of their short films represented Ireland at the European Young Film Makers' Awards. The film was so good that the pop group REM threatened legal action because the students had used one of their songs.

"Now all the films end with the credits: `Thank you Mrs Crotty'," explains Crotty. "By crediting the communications teacher it distinguishes the films from commercial productions and removes any legal problems: that's one trick we've learned"

This year the standard was also top class, according to editor and producer of BBC World News Peter Jacobson, who has judged Mount Sackville's films for the past five years. But following last year's success Jacobson decided to assess the young talent at Mount Sackville at first hand, so he flew over from England to attend the premiere.

"Every year I see these videos and every year the standard gets higher and higher," said Jacobson. "I have to admit that in some cases it's hard to find fault and none of these videos fell below a very reasonable standard. Some had very high production values indeed."

The students, all eagerly competing for this year's Mount Sackville Oscars, entered 13 short films, varying in length from four to 15 minutes. The films reflected on many of the serious issues confronting teenagers today. Drugs, sex, bullying, teenage pregnancy and relationships with parents were all addressed by students.

The Trip was a morality tale about the dangers of getting involved in drugs and followed one teenagers descent into drug abuse. As long as we have each other raised issues of bullying and prejudice in society. Yet there was also a lot of comedy on offer. Sequences involving lottery winners and time travellers gave the premiere audience some light relief and a fabulous take-off of the Wild West in a film called Beyond Reality was simply hilarious.

But as with any award ceremony there have to be some winners. Best Actress went to Grace Connellan for her portrayal of waking up the morning after a rather drunken night before in the film Never Again. Best Actor went to Conor Sheridan for his role in Electro-Imp and Best Director was Paula Russell-Hill for Pressure Point, which scooped second in the Best Picture category.

Best Picture went to Electro Imp, a tale of friendship, love and a young boy shrinking after being struck by lightning. Directed by Anne Heffernan (16), produced by Holly Assa (16) and with musical interludes on the saxophone provided by Robin Crotty (17). Ellen Moran and Kate Mulcahy made up the rest of the winning team.

In making his choice, Jacobson commended the originality of the idea and the cast and crew for generating their own music and script. Holly Assa wrote the script for the film which were performed with great gusto on the screen.

"I think the students have done extremely well over the years. They are really interested in the projects and it allows them to develop confidence and maturity, says Crotty.

"In television communications I try to adopt the words `roots and wings' and practise them by giving my students a good foundation and then releasing them from the restrictions of the classroom. Their imagination and talents took them this year to all sorts of places and situations." she adds.

After the ceremony all the students decided to celebrate the evening in traditional Hollywood fashion. Where? At Eddie Rockets, of course.