“An historic moment for Irish-language film”: An Cailín Ciúin is nominated for Academy Award for Best International Feature Film
Posted: 24th January 2023
Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland is delighted to congratulate writer/director Colm Bairéad, producer Cleona Ní Chrualaoi and the entire creative teams behind An Cailín Ciúin on its Academy Award nomination for Best International Feature Film. This is the first time an Irish-language film has ever been nominated in this category, selected from 92 eligible countries. The agency is also delighted to see several nominations for The Banshees of Inisherin and short film An Irish Goodbye, which was nominated for Best Live Action Short. The agency would also particularly like to congratulate Irish actors Paul Mescal, Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan on their Academy Award nominations across the acting categories, Irish VFX artist Richard Baneham, nominated for Best Visual Effects on Avatar: The Way of Water, and Irish editor Jonathan Redmond co-nominated with Matt Villa for Best Film Editing on Elvis.
Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive at Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, said:
“Our huge congratulations to Colm Bairéad and Cleona Ní Chrualaoi on An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl)’s Academy Award nomination today. This is an historic moment for Irish-language film, which we are immensely proud of, along with our Cine4 partners TG4 and the BAI. Best International feature is an intensely competitive category this year and so it is remarkable to have received the nomination.
This poignant film that Colm Bairéad has made in An Cailín Ciúin is an outstanding artistic achievement, as is the work from the film’s cast and crew, from Kate McCullough’s stunning cinematography to Stephen Rennicks’ emotive score, and of course, Catherine Clinch’s heart-breaking performance.
We’re also delighted to see so many nominations for The Banshees of Inisherin, short film An Irish Goodbye, and for Irish actors Paul Mescal, Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan. Today’s news is an incredible showcase of the range of Irish creative talent being recognised and celebrated amongst the very best in the world.”
Based on Irish author, Claire Keegan's acclaimed story, Foster, with the screenplay written by Bairéad, An Cailín Ciúin is an intricate, deeply felt coming-of-age drama that delves into the meaning of family through the eyes of a neglected young girl. Set in rural Ireland in 1981, the film follows Cáit (Catherine Clinch) as she is sent from her overcrowded, dysfunctional household to live with distant relatives for the summer. She is welcomed with open arms by Eibhlín (Carrie Crowley), but her husband, Seán (Andrew Bennett) keeps Cáit at arm’s length. Slowly, however, a warmth grows within this makeshift family and Cáit begins to blossom in their care. But in this house where there are meant to be no secrets, she discovers one painful truth.
An Cailín Ciúin was one of 15 films shortlisted from 92 countries who submitted to the Academy Award category for Best International Feature Film. This marked the first time an Irish-language film had been shortlisted in this category and only the second Irish film ever to reach the category’s shortlist stage (Viva, 2016).
The Banshees of Inisherin was nominated for multiple awards, including Best Film, Best Actor for Colin Farrell, Best Supporting Actor for Brendan Gleeson and Barry Keoghan, and Best Supporting Actress for Kerry Condon. Martin McDonagh’s black comedy/drama was shot on location in Achill and the Aran Islands and co-produced by Irish production company Metropolitan Films.
An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl) was produced by Cleona Ní Chrualaoi of Inscéal. It was made as part of the Cine4 funding scheme for Irish-language films in partnership with Screen Ireland, TG4, and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI). The film is also in receipt of the Irish Government’s Section 481 tax incentive.