+34
The Irish-language heist thriller Aontas, directed by Damian McCann, has been chosen by the Irish Film and Television Academy to represent Ireland at the Oscars.
Irish-language film Aontas has been selected as Ireland’s entry for the Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category. The news was announced on Friday, with TG4 celebrating the film’s selection by the Irish Film and Television Academy as it prepares to represent Ireland on the international stage.
Directed by Damian McCann, Aontas is an Irish-language heist thriller starring Carrie Crowley, Bríd Brennan and Eva-Jane Gaffney. The film follows three unlikely thieves who rob a rural Irish Credit Union, led by a woman on the verge of a breakdown. Opening in the aftermath of the heist gone wrong, the story unfolds backwards, chapter by chapter, as it reveals what led the group to the robbery.
The film marks the first feature from bilingual production company Púca Pictures and was written by Sarah Gordon and Damian McCann. Aontas premiered on TG4 and TG4.ie in March and has already enjoyed success on the international festival circuit, having screened at more than 40 festivals in Ireland and around the world. The film has also picked up a number of awards, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Script, while it was nominated for six IFTAs.
Speaking about the Oscar selection, director Damian McCann said he had been “blown away” by the response to the film so far.
“Aontas was born out of a conversation with my Mum where she described in detail how she would rob a bank ,” he said. “That conversation led to a film that has connected with audiences around the world. ” He added that the film’s international success was a “testament to the power of its storytelling and performances”.
Aontas continues a strong run for Irish-language cinema, with five TG4 films having now been selected as Ireland’s Oscar entry for Best International Feature Film since 2021. Of course, Irish audiences will be hoping that Aontas can follow in the footsteps of An Cailín Ciúin, which made history in 2023 as the first Irish-language film to receive an Academy Award nomination.
Aontas Oscars Irish-Language Cinema TG4 IFTA
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Traitors Ireland Season 2 Confirmed In New RTÉ SeasonTraitors Ireland season 2, Kin season 3 and a new drama from the creator of Love/Hate lead RTÉ's biggest ever slate — and it is all on RTÉ Player.
Read more »
Dolly Parton's Irish Legacy: Kerry, Books And SinéadDolly Parton has died aged 80. From a singsong in Páidí Ó Sé's pub to 200,000 free books for Irish children, here is the legacy she leaves in Ireland.
Read more »
Irish Man Fined for Drunken Plane Incident During Stag TripEmmet Moynihan was fined £2,224 (€2,598) after admitting to verbally abusing staff and passengers while drunk on a flight bound for Las Vegas. The incident, which was captured on video, occurred during the boarding process. Moynihan pleaded guilty to entering an aircraft when drunk and failing to obey a pilot's commands.
Read more »
Irish Players Set for 20th KPMG Women's Irish OpenA record 16 Irish players are set to compete in the 20th KPMG Women's Irish Open, a Ladies European Tour event at the K Club in Straffan, Ireland.
Read more »