Ireland’s An Cailín Ciúin is among 15 films announced today on the shortlist for the ‘Best International Feature Film’ category for the 95th Oscars.
IFTA selected the film in August as Ireland’s nominated film for the category. Since then Academy members were invited to participate in the preliminary round of voting and had to view all 15 shortlisted films to vote.
Based on Claire Keegan’s novella Foster, 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 (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 directed by Colm Bairéad and produced by Cleona Ní Chrualaoi of Inscéal.
The film was funded through the Cine4 scheme from TG4, Screen Ireland, and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. The film is also in receipt of the Irish Government’s Section 481 tax incentive.
The film has grossed over €1million at the box office in Ireland and the UK becoming the most successful Irish-language film ever. It has been a massive hit at film festivals worldwide and has been critically acclaimed internationally.
An Cailín Ciúin has been awarded a plethora of awards since its premiere at Berlinale last February including the first domestic film named as best film of the year by Dublin Film Critic’s Circle just last week, Best Cinematography at the 2022 European Film Awards for Kate McCullough, seven IFTAs and numerous other awards from Sydney to Colorado.
The film will now go on to the next stage of the Oscar nominations where members of the Academy will select from the reduced list of contenders in the category to pick the final five nominees for the 2023 Oscars which will take place on March 12th.
Alan Esslemont TG4 Director General said, “We are delighted to hear this good news today and I would like to congratulate Cleona and Colm and everyone involved in any way with An Cailín Ciúin; the first ever Irish Language film to be shortlisted in Best International Film category.
“When TG4 began the Cine4 scheme with Screen Ireland and the BAI our vision was to win an Oscar for an Irish-Language film. Today’s news brings us one step closer to that aim and is very encouraging for everybody in the Irish creative community. Comhghairdeas ó chroí!’