Reactions to Nominations for Irish Film at the Academy Awards®
With seven nominations for films supported by Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board at the Academy Awards® and a total of nine nominations for Irish creative talent, it has been a remarkable day for Irish film. Here are some reactions to today’s good news:
‘Room’ Director Lenny Abrahmason
“This is an incredible day for everyone involved in ROOM. Thank you to the Academy for honoring us with four nominations — it’s beyond all our wildest dreams. It is a testament to everyone who gave so much of themselves to make this film happen. I am so proud of Emma Donoghue whose incredible novel started the journey, of Ed Guiney, my filmmaking other half who has been with me, driving the train, from the beginning, and to everyone at Element Pictures Dublin, my filmmaking home, of the extraordinary Brie Larson and the prodigy that is Jacob Tremblay. Also love and thanks go to Stephen Rennicks, Nathan Nugent, Ethan Tobman and Danny Cohen, my filmmaking team. What a day for Irish cinema! I am so delighted.”
‘Brooklyn’ Star Saoirse Ronan
“When we made Brooklyn, we had no idea of what was to come. It is the most personal film I have ever done, the hardest one too. I am honoured to represent this film with my friends - John, Nick, Finola, Yves, Colm, Amanda. This has all been a dream. To see how the film has been embraced has been heartwarming. Thank you so very much to The Academy - you are a group of people I respect greatly and to be recognized by you means so much.”
‘Room’ Star Brie Larson
"I'm unbelievably honored and excited to be recognized by the Academy, and even more thrilled to share this honor with Lenny Abrahamson, Emma Donoghue and the entire Room family of filmmakers, cast, and crew. I'm so lucky and humbled to be a part of this beautiful story, in a once-in-a-lifetime role. Congratulations to my fellow nominees. Truly, I am very grateful this morning."
‘Room’ Screenwriter Emma Donoghue
“I’m shaking with excitement almost too much to type… but let me just say that I am blown away by ROOM getting four Oscar nominations, which was beyond our wildest hopes. I’m particularly glad that one nomination is for the extraordinary Lenny Abrahamson for Best Director. People don’t always realise how much care and art went into his creation of the naturalistic world of ROOM. I’m extremely honored to be recognized by the Academy, thank you!”
‘Brooklyn’ Screenwriter Nick Hornby
“The moment I saw Saoirse Ronan’s incredible performance in Brooklyn, I knew that she would get nominated for an Oscar, and that she might drag one or two of us along with her. It’s fantastic recognition for a film that we are all so proud of, and a tribute to the persistence and ferocity of my wife Amanda Posey and her producing partner Finola Dwyer, who got the film made after several years of struggle.”
‘Room’ Producer Ed Guiney
“We are truly ecstatic. To get 4 nominations from the Academy especially these categories is truly amazing and beyond our wildest dreams. I am especially pleased for Lenny’s director nomination. He has done such an extraordinary job and its so brilliantly deserved. We are so grateful to our amazing cast and crew and to all our partners and financiers including of course the Irish Film Board. And also it’s a landmark day for Irish cinema – 9 nominations in total including ourselves, BROOKLYN and the short film STUTTERER. Congrats to all. What a day.”
President Michael D. Higgins
“I am delighted to send my warmest congratulations to the Irish nominees on the occasion of the unprecedented strong Irish representation at the Oscars 2016. This year's Oscars shortlist is a remarkable testimony of the vitality and diversity of the talent available to the Irish film industry. To have Irish nominees represented in several categories indicates the depth of the international recognition for the talent that now exists.”
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD
“I am delighted to see so many Irish actors and filmmakers nominated for this year’s Academy Awards. The Irish Film Industry is on a roll at the moment, having enjoyed numerous award successes in recent months, thanks to the hard work, talent and dedication of those in the sector. These Oscar nominations further enhance our reputation in the film industry internationally. To be nominated for an Oscar is wonderful recognition from your peers in the entertainment and film industry of incredible talent and ability, and it is fantastic to see Irish talent receiving this recognition. I am sure that these nominations will give the entire film sector here a boost.”