Irish Short Film THE CRUSH Becomes Ireland's 7th Academy Award Nominated Short Film
Board Scannán na hÉireann/ the Irish Film Board would like to congratulate Irish director Michael Creagh as his short film THE CRUSH was nominated this afternoon in the Short Film (Live Action) category at the Academy Awards®. ‘The Crush' is the 7th Irish short film to be nominated for an Academy Award® nomination since 2002.
THE CRUSH tells of an 8-year old schoolboy who is so besotted with his teacher that he challenges her boyfriend to a duel...to the death. Written and directed by Creagh, the film was produced by Damon Quinn for Purdy Pictures. The film was independently financed with international sales for the film being handled by Network Ireland Television. THE CRUSH first came under the international spotlight when it was selected for the Tribeca International Film Festival in 2010.
Commenting on this success Teresa McGrane, Deputy Chief Executive at Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board said "An Academy Award nomination for a short film is a fantastic achievement. Irish short films have gained outstanding recognition and international profile in recent years with seven short film nominations since 2002. This is an indication of the high level of new talent we have working in the Irish film industry. "
Irish short film makers have received huge profile at the Oscars in recent years. Martin McDonagh's SIX SHOOTER took home the award for Best Live Action Short, and McDonagh went on to direct the successful feature film ‘In Bruges'. GRANNY O'GRIMM'S SLEEPING BEAUTY, written by Kathleen O'Rourke and directed by Nicky Phelan, Cathal Gaffney's GIVE UP YER AUL SINS, Juanita Wilson's THE DOOR, Steff Green's NEW BOY and Ruairí Robinson's FIFTY PERCENT GREY have all received Oscar nominations.
Nick Kelly's short film SHOE was also one of the ten live-action shorts which been shortlisted this year in the same category alongside THE CRUSH. Produced by Seamus Byrne for Zanita Films, SHOE was funded through the IFB Signatures scheme.
The Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2010 will be presented on Sunday, February 27, 2011, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.