Screen Ireland congratulates Irish story makers on their BIFA nominations
Posted: 4th November 2022
Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland is delighted to congratulate the nominees and the teams behind God's Creatures, Nothing Compares, Young Plato and It Is In Us All on their British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) nominations today.
God's Creatures, directed by Saela Davis and Anna Rose Holmer picked up a total of five nominations today. Emily Watson was nominated in Lead Performance, while co-stars Paul Mescal and Aisling Franciosi were nominated in the Best Supporting Performance. Shane Crowley was nominated for Best Debut Screenwriter for the script of this powerful drama set in a windswept fishing village in Kerry, where a mother is torn between protecting her beloved son and her own sense of right and wrong. Finally, Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans were nominated in the Best Original Music category.
A BIFA Best Actress winner in 1999 for Hilary and Jackie, Emily Watson comments on her nomination:
“I’m so utterly delighted that God’s Creatures is getting this kind of recognition. I usually school myself not to mind too much about how a movie ends up but with this, I’ve felt passionate about it at every step. From the moment I read the screenplay, every stage has felt as if I’ve been part of a deeply considered and profoundly creative act shining a light on something very uncomfortable. I got to work with a wildly talented bunch of young filmmakers in every department. A total treasure. So, thank you, really, truly. I can’t wait for people to see it on the big screen.”
The Nine Daughters production is produced by Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly. It was shot on location in Co. Donegal and developed with the support of Screen Ireland, BBC Film and A24. It is co-financed by A24, BBC Film, Screen Ireland and the Western Region Audiovisual Producers Fund/WRAP. A24 controls worldwide rights.
Cosmo Jarvis, lead actor in Antonia Campbell-Hughes’ It Is In Us All, picked up a nomination for Best Actor for his role as Hamish, a Londoner who returns to his ancestral homeland of Donegal in the west of Ireland.
It Is In Us All opens as a fatal car crash brings together two survivors – slick London businessman Hamish and teenager Evan, who initiates an uncanny friendship with the older man. Hamish, who has inherited the home of his late aunt, had planned to visit Ireland only briefly. But his stay is prolonged by this tense entanglement with Evan and an unspeakable attachment to the land where his mother was raised.
It Is In Us All is produced by Emma Foley, Tamryn Reinecke and Conor Barry for Pale Rebel Productions and Savage Productions. The film was funded through Screen Ireland’s POV scheme for female filmmakers, aiming to foster distinct Irish female voices through the development and production of a low-budget feature film. It Is In Us All was filmed in Co. Donegal and is Antonia Campbell-Hughes' first feature film as a director.
Two Screen Ireland documentaries were also nominated in today's announcement. Nothing Compares, directed by Kathryn Ferguson received a total of three nominations, including Best Feature Documentary, Best Debut Director for Kathryn Ferguson and Best Editing for Mick Mahon.
Nothing Compares charts Sinéad OʼConnorʼs phenomenal rise to worldwide fame, and examines how she used her voice at the height of her stardom before her iconoclastic personality led to her exile from the pop mainstream. Focusing on Sinéad’s prophetic words and deeds from 1987 to 1993, the film presents an authored, richly cinematic portrait of this fearless trailblazer through a contemporary feminist lens.
The film is produced by Eleanor Emptage and Michael Mallie for Tara Films (UK) and Ard Mhacha Productions (Ireland), and presented by Field of Vision. Executive producers are Charlotte Cook, Lesley McKimm, Lucy Pullin, John Reynolds and Lisa Marie Russo. The film was supported by Screen Ireland, the BFI Doc Society Fund, IE:Entertainment and Northern Ireland Screen. Showtime controls worldwide rights. It is currently out in Irish cinemas.
Another nominee in the Best Feature Documentary category is Young Plato, directed by Neasa Ní Chianáin and Declan McGrath. The Soilsiú Films production is an observational documentary set in post conflict Belfast’s Ardoyne, where a marginalized, working class community has for generations been plagued by poverty, drugs and guns. This film charts the dream of Headmaster Kevin McArevey and his dedicated visionary team, illustrating how critical thinking and pastoral care can empower and encourage children to see beyond the boundaries and limitations of their own community.
The film is produced by David Rane, Hanne Phlypo, Céline Nusse and Jackie Doyle of Soilsiú Films, Aisling Productions, Clin d’Oeil Films and Zadig Productions. It is currently screening throughout the US for a limited theatrical run.
Screen Ireland is also delighted to congratulate the Irish talent which received nominations this morning. Our sincere congratulations to the team of The Wonder for its impressive 12 nominations, including Kíla Lord Cassidy for the Breakthrough Performance, a Best British Independent Film nomination and Best Ensemble Cast. Irish actress Jessie Buckley is nominated for Best Joint Lead Performance alongside Rory Kinnear in Men, while Daryl McCormack is nominated alongside co-star Emma Thompson for their roles in Good Luck To You, Leo Grande.
The full list of nominees can be found here.