Kneecap wins first Bafta but misses out in five categories

A film starring the west Belfast rap group Kneecap scooped a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in one of the six categories it was nominated in.

The film's writer and director Rich Peppiatt picked up the award in the Outstanding Debut category.

The Irish-language film missed out in five other categories, including Film Not in the English Language.

There was also success for Nick Emerson from Lisburn, who won in the Editing category for his work on Conclave, which was one of the night's big winners.

Emerson told the BBC he was honoured to be recognised and was looking forward to the Oscars.

Meanwhile Saoirse Ronan missed out in the Leading Actress category and Irish-produced Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice, which also went home empty handed.

Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandise.

The film was written and directed by Rich Peppiatt and stars bandmates Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh (Mo Chara), Naoise Ó Cairealláin (Móglaí Bap), and JJ Ó Dochartaigh (DJ Próvaí), and also stars Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender.

The group was formed in 2017 by the three friends.

Patrick O'Neill, from Wildcard distribution, which released the film said they were "thrilled".

"You see the films we were up against in some of those categories… and this was a small independent film from Ireland. Even to be on that stage and in that company was just absolutely amazing," he said.

"It's just been an amazing journey and it was really embraced by Irish audiences and great to see the Irish language on the global stage."

Receiving the Bafta, Peppiatt said he was "absolutely honoured to be standing here".

"Fiteen years ago today I met my wife and a decade ago she convinced me to move to Belfast and within two weeks of moving to Belfast I met Kneecap, and it's weird how life works like that," he said.

"Kneecap is more than a film, it's a movement and its about how everyone should have their language respected, they should have their culture respected and they should have their homeland respected and so this award is dedicated to everyone out there who's fighting that fight."

• Full list of Bafta winners
• Conclave and The Brutalist win big at the Baftas

Speaking at the pre awards event, the band said the last year had felt like "blink and you'll miss it".

They said being nominated for a Bafta was a win in itself.

Peppiatt was asked about a possible Kneecap 2 being on the cards and he jokingly said: "Bridget Jones has just released her fourth".

The film was nominated for Outstanding Debut, Original Screenplay, Casting, Film Not in the English Language, Editing, and Outstanding British Film categories.

It has already won seven British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) and other accolades.

In November rap group won its discrimination case against the UK government over a decision by Kemi Badenoch to withdraw an arts grant when she was serving as a cabinet minister.

Speaking after the ceremony, Editing winner Emerson said one of the keys to editing Conclave had been keeping up the tension.

He has also been nominated in the same category at the Academy Awards.

"It's such a huge honour to be recognised by Bafta in amongst all those other nominees and their incredible work," he told the BBC after the Bafta ceremony.

"I'm just so happy to be part of the Conclave team, it's wonderful."

Emerson started out as an editor in the BBC NI newsroom in Belfast before moving into documentaries and then films.

"I was very lucky that I was in Northern Ireland at a time post-Good Friday Agreement when investment started coming in and the film industry started to balloon there," he said.

"I was lucky, right place, right time and I was able to ride the wave."

Richard Williams, chief executive of Northern Ireland Screen extended the organisation's congratulations to the team behind the Kneecap film.

"This well-deserved recognition celebrates the creativity, hard work, and dedication that went into bringing such a unique and powerful story to life," he told BBC News NI.

"We are immensely proud of the filmmakers and the spotlight this shines on the remarkable talent and vibrant storytelling emerging from Northern Ireland."

Saoirse Ronan missed out on a Leading Actress gong for her role in the drama The Outrun.

The film is about a young woman returning to her home in Orkney in Scotland to deal with her past, and her addictions.

Ronan said she learned lambing for the role. She's up against Wicked's Cynthia Erivo and Demi Moore (The Substance), among others.

The Irish-produced Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice was nominated in three categories: Leading Actor, Supporting Actor and Casting.

Ruth Treacy and Julianne Forde, from Tailored Films, said they were "incredibly honoured".

"This recognition underpins the huge support that the film received in the UK and Ireland on its release," they said.

"We're very proud that Irish film and talent is represented so well with the nominations across the board this weekend.

"Let's hope the green wave continues gaining strength in the year ahead."

You can watch this year's Baftas on BBC One and iPlayer.