Donegal school kids win global competition to film Ed Sheeran’s new music video

After asking fans around the world to send him videos for songs on the album, the pop music icon received over 4,000 entries from over 75 countries.

Sheeran then personally handpicked 14 winners, representing 14 different countries across five continents, including Ireland’s Finn Valley College in Stranorlar who did a video for the album’s track called Magical.

The teachers and students of Finn Valley College wrote the script, then starred in and filmed the video at their school.

Transition Year pupils devised the concept with their teacher, Tina Garry - a school love story with a Romeo and Juliet twist.

Finn Valley teacher Edel Temple, who submitted the entry, said: “A few months ago, I saw an amazing opportunity on Ed Sheeran’s Instagram page to create a music video. Myself and my son are huge Ed fans and my son constantly puts on concerts singing Ed Sheeran songs with his guitar.

“In Finn Valley College, I am lucky to bear witness to the most magical students and this is what I thought of when I saw the post. This was our moment to show off their magic as it would be a chance in a million for our students - so I sent in an application to take part.

“I asked my colleague Tina Garry for help. She, with the brilliant brains of our Transition Year students, wrote the pitch for the competition, devising the concept, planning the shot types and compiling a list of props to complement the narrative and music.

“The Romeo & Juliet theme, where an unrequited teenage crush was harboured by two friends, was something our pupils were keen to explore. A love for drama and literature in a school setting was popular as we knew love and school were things that could be related to by so many people. Plus it suited the lyrics and melody of the beautiful song.

“The first-time screen actors in the video are our wonderful students and staff who gave up so much time and energy. Thanks to Dave Carroll, Evan Barry, Finn Rankin and Siobhan McGinley for putting the pieces of the puzzle together creatively as well as our colleagues in Finn Valley College for their support and understanding.

“And the stars of the show, our pupils, we are so proud of how they rose to the challenge. Words cannot express how proud we are every single day of the school and the pupils. I hope the magic of Finn Valley College is clear to the world and we are forever grateful to Ed and his team for making young dreams come true and for giving our pupils the chance to take part in something so exciting.”

Speaking about the videos, Ed Sheeran said: “I made Autumn Variations for the fans and I really wanted to bring them into the fold on this album. I was keen to see how they interpreted the music, so I decided to ask my fans from across the world to make videos for each album track.

“There were so many wonderful submissions and I’m very happy to announce that I’ll be launching all 14 fan-made videos over the coming weeks, kicking off with That’s On Me. I want to give special thanks to each and every fan who made these videos so special. I love them and hope you will too.”