Screen Ireland-supported short film Retirement Plan nominated for the 98th Academy Awards
Posted: 22nd January 2026
Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland is delighted to congratulate director John Kelly and the entire creative team behind Retirement Plan, the Screen Ireland-supported short film which has been nominated for Best Animated Short Film at the 98th Academy Awards.
The agency would also like to extend its warmest congratulations to Jessie Buckley, nominated for Best Actress for her acclaimed peformance in Hamnet, alongside Irish production company Element Pictures, which received four nominations for Bugonia, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress for Emma Stone, and Best Original Score.
Congratulations are also extended to Richard Baneham, nominated in the Visual Effects category for his work on the Avatar: Fire and Ash, and Irish production company Wild Atlantic Pictures for Blue Moon, nominated for Best Original Screenplay and Best Actor for Ethan Hawke.
Commenting on the nominations, Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive of Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland, said:
“These nominations represent a remarkable recognition of the artistic strength and range of Irish creative talent. It is another powerful moment for the Irish screen industry and underlines the importance of supporting talent and investing in filmmakers and artists.
Screen Ireland is particularly proud to have supported Retirement Plan through the Frameworks animated short film scheme, in partnership with RTÉ. The film is a quietly profound testament to living life that has resonated deeply with audiences around the world.
We are immensely proud to see Irish storytelling and talent so strongly represented on the global stage and wish those nominated all the best at the Academy Awards ceremony in March.”
Retirement Plan is funded by Frameworks, Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland and RTÉ’s flagship animation short film scheme. It follows Ray, who is dissatisfied with life, and dreams of the beauty and joy he’ll find when work finally ends. The film is narrated by Domhnall Gleeson, directed by John Kelly, with a script co written by Tara Lawall and John Kelly, and produced by Julie Murnaghan and Andrew Freedman for Antidote Films.
The 98th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, 15 March 2026, at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, Los Angeles.