Critically acclaimed Irish language film An Cailín Ciúin has been selected as Ireland’s entry for the Best International Feature Film category in the 95th Academy Awards.
It is the third year in a row that the Irish Film & Television Academy has chosen a film from the CINE4 scheme from TG4, Screen Ireland and the BAI as Ireland’s nomination for the Oscars.
An Cailín Ciúin is based on Foster by Claire Keegan and is the feature film debut of writer and director Colm Bairéad and producer Cleona Ní Chrualaoi.
Since its premiere in February, the film has impressed critics and scooped awards at a number of film festivals.
It won The Grand Prix of the Generation Kplus International Jury for Best Film at the Berlinale Film Festival and was awarded Best Irish Film by the Dublin Film Critics Circle.
It also won eight Irish Film and Television Academy Awards, including Best Film, Best Director and Lead Actress Film.
An Cailín Ciúin tells the story of Cáit (Catherine Clinch) – a nine-year-old girl from an overcrowded, dysfunctional family who is sent away to live with her mother’s relatives for the summer.
She is welcomed with open arms by Eibhlín (Carrie Crowley), but her husband (Andrew Bennett) keeps Cáit at arms length.
Slowly but surely, a warmth grows within this makeshift family and Cáit blossoms in their care. But in this house where there are meant to be no secrets, she discovers one painful truth.
Mary Ellen Ní Chualáin, Commissioning Manager TG4 said: “Congratulations to Inscéal, Colm and Cleona, the cast and crew involved in making An Cailín Ciún on being selected as Ireland’s entry for the Oscars by IFTA.
“I would also like to congratulate Máire Ní Chonláin, Commissioning Editor TG4, and our colleagues in Fís Éireann and the BAI.
“An Cailín Ciúin has had an impact on everyone who has seen it to date, both here at home and with audiences around the world in Britain, Europe, New Zealand, Taiwan and Australia. The Cine4 scheme is succeeding in developing Irish language cinema and all of us in TG4 are extremely proud of that.”
