Irish film Industry receives international praise for new films Saipan and Father Mother Sister Brother
Posted: 7th September 2025
Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland is delighted to congratulate director Jim Jarmusch and Hail Mary Pictures on winning the Golden Lion Award for Father Mother Sister Brother at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival last night.
This Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland co-production follows three sets of siblings as they visit the homes of their parents in America, Dublin and Paris. The Dublin sequence features performances from Cate Blanchett, Charlotte Rampling and Vicky Krieps.
This major award follows a very warm reception for the premiere of Saipan at the Toronto International Film Festival which opened on Thursday. Starring Éanna Hardwicke and Steve Coogan, it recalls the drama of the Republic of Ireland’s participation in the 2002 World Cup.
Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland congratulates all involved in these wonderful films. These extraordinary achievements are testament to the hard work of Irish creative and producing talent who craft powerful stories, which resonate with audiences both here at home and on the international stage.
In a 4 star review for Saipan, the Guardian’s chief film critic Peter Bradshaw described it as “a film to savour” and also noted "Hardwicke, an actor unfamiliar to most, is an electric presence, a real star find of the festival."
In another 4 star review the Irish Independent called Saipan “an unexpected treat”, while RTÉ’s Evelyn O’Rourke said “Watching Saipan is like going to your nearest airport and stepping onto a plane that will take you straight back to the summer of 2002”.
Saipan is supported by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland with Northern Ireland Screen and is co-produced by Wild Atlantic Pictures and Fine Point Films. It is directed by Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glen Leyburn and is due to open in Ireland later this year.