Pure excitement as Meath-made film nominated for Academy Award

'An Cailin Ciúin' is first Irish-language film to be nominated in International Feature Film category

Meath-made movie 'An Cailín Ciúin' has been nominated for The 95th Academy Awards in the ‘International Feature Film’ category of the Oscars. The film makes history as the first Irish-language feature film to be nominated in this category. Five films from around in the world are nominated in the ‘International Feature Film’ category for the 95th Oscar awards, which take on 12th March next.

The other four films nominated are: All Quiet on The Western Front (Germany), Argentina, 1985 (Argentina), Close (Belgium) and EO (Poland).

Ireland has enjoyed its best-ever day at the Oscar nominations with 'The Banshees of Inisherin' writer-director Martin McDonagh, the film's stars Kerry Condon, Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Barry Keoghan, Aftersun's Paul Mescal and An Cailín Ciúin among the Irish nominees.

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 €1 million at the box-office in Ireland and the UK becoming the most successful Irish-language film ever. It has been a huge hit at film festivals around the world 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, Best Cinematography at 2022 European Film Awards for Kate McCullough, seven IFTAs and numerous other awards from Sydney to Colorado. An Cailín Ciúin has also recently received nominations for the British Academy Film Awards - the BAFTAs for Best Film Not in the English Language and Best Adapted Screenplay for its writer-director, Colm Bairéad.

An Cailín Ciúin is the feature film debut of writer/director, Colm Bairéad and producer, Cleona Ní Chrualaoi of Inscéal. Cleona hails from Gilbertstown, Longwood and went to school in the Gaeltacht area of Ráth Chairn.

Director of photography, Kate McCullough, who won an IFTA for her cinematography on the film, hails from Gormanston.

Inscéal expressed their heartfelt thanks to all the location owners, extras and anyone from Meath that was involved in the making of the film including the pupils of Lismullen National School, Garlow Cross, Navan.

Speaking on the film’s Oscar nomination, Colm Bairéad and Cleona Ní Chrualaoi from Inscéal, the production company behind the film, said: “We are honoured beyond words that An Cailín Ciúin / The Quiet Girl has been nominated for the 95th Academy Awards. This is a truly historic and meaningful moment for Irish film, the Irish people and the Irish language. Never before has an Irish film been nominated in this category. Never before has Irish-language art been given such a platform. This film has been an extraordinary labour of love and it has been a joy to see audiences the world over take it into their hearts. Our sincere thanks to the members of the Academy for embracing An Cailín Ciúin / The Quiet Girl and giving her a voice. Our huge thanks also to the funders of this film; TG4, Screen Ireland and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, to the Irish Film and Television Academy, Bankside Films and to all of our wonderful distributors around the world”.

Alan Esslemont TG4 Director General said: "An Cailín Ciúin has touched the hearts of cinema-goers throughout the world, breaking record after record. Colm Bairéad and Cleona Ní Chrualaoí have created a classic masterpiece and have become a huge source of pride for those of us who speak this minority language and for all those people worldwide who understand the importance of a thriving Irish language for Ireland’s culture and creativity. I congratulate everyone involved this success - cast and crew, my own colleagues at TG4 and our partners at Screen Ireland and the BAI. Our ‘Cine4’ scheme was about creating a new world of movies for the Irish language community but has in actual fact been central to a new wave of cinema for all of Ireland. The road towards the Oscars has been opened by Colm and Cleona and today we celebrate the global resonance of that huge achievement.