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Kneecap shortlisted for two Academy Award nominations

PA Media Three men all wearing black sweaters are stood side by side looking directly at the camera. They have serious expressions. PA Media
Kneecap members Moglai Bap, DJ Provai and Mo Chara attend the UK premiere of Kneecap, the opening film of the Sundance London Film Festival in June.

The Irish-language film Kneecap has been shortlisted for two Academy Award nominations.

It has been included among 15 films shortlisted for the International Feature category in the 2025 Oscars, after The Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) selected the film for Ireland's official submission.

The trio's Sick in the Head has also been shortlisted with 14 others for Best Original Song.

The film is based on a semi-fictionalised account of how the west Belfast rap group was formed.

Nominations will be announced on 17 January ahead of the awards ceremony, set to take place on 2 March in Los Angeles.

The film dominated the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA), winning Best British Independent Film.

It also won Best Debut Screenwriter for Rich Peppiatt and Best Joint Lead for trio Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, and JJ Ó Dochartaigh.

What happens next

Kneecap has made its way onto the 15-film shortlist from a longlist of 85 films from across the world.

In the nominations round, Academy members from all branches opt in to participate and must view all 15 shortlisted films to vote.

Other films in the International Feature category include the UK's Santosh, France's Emilia Pérez and Germany's The Seed of the Sacred Fig.

Meanwhile, 89 songs were eligible in the Original Song category, with Academy members whittling them down to 15.

Other songs shortlisted include Robbie Williams' Forbidden Road from his biopic Better Man; Saoirse Ronan and Nicholas Britell for Winter Coat from World War Two drama Blitz; and Beyond from Disney animation Moana 2.

'Storytelling potential of NI'

Richard Williams, chief executive of Northern Ireland Screen, said: "To make it onto an Oscar shortlist is no mean feat, 85 countries or regions submitted films that were eligible for consideration in the International Feature Film category.

"We are delighted to see Kneecap make the shortlist of 15.

"This is testament not only to the incredible talent and creativity of the filmmakers and performers but also to the rich storytelling potential of Northern Ireland," he added.