The Irish language film An Cailín Ciúin/The Quiet Girl has been shortlisted for an Oscar in the Best International Film category.
The announcement was made this evening in Los Angeles, and it's the first Irish Language film to appear on an Oscar shortlist.
The film was selected by IFTA in August as Ireland's nominated film for the category
Since then Academy members were invited to participate in the preliminary round of voting and had to view all 15 shortlisted films to vote.
The other films shortlisted are: Argentina, 1985 (Argentina), Corsage (Austria), Close (Belgium), Return To Seoul (Cambodia), Holy Spider (Denmark),Saint Omer (France), All Quiet On The Western Front (Germany), Last Film Show (India) Bardo, False Chronicle Of A Handful Of Truths (Mexico), The Blue Caftan (Morocco), Joyland (Pakistan), EO (Poland), Decision To Leave (South Korea), Cairo Conspiracy (Sweden).
The film will now go on to the next stage of the Oscar nominations where members of the Academy will select from the reduced list of contenders in the category to pick the final five nominees for the 2023 Oscars which will take place on March 12th.
Speaking on the film's shortlist selection, writer/director, Colm Bairéad and producer, Cleona Ní Chrualaoi from Inscéal, the production company behind the film, said: "We are absolutely thrilled that An Cailín Ciúin/The Quiet Girl has been shortlisted by the Academy for Best International Feature Film and we are particularly proud to be the first Irish-language film to have achieved this.
"What an historic moment for Irish-language cinema! We feel privileged and honoured to continue to represent Ireland as An Cailín Ciúin/The Quiet Girl bids to secure a nomination at the 95th Academy Awards.
"We couldn’t have made it this far without the incredible support of Screen Ireland, TG4, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and the hard work and dedication of our distributors.
"Special thanks also to the Irish Film and Television Academy for its continued support and commitment and to the audiences who came in such record numbers to see our film so far."
On twitter, the producers said they were 'thrilled beyond words' aboutAn Cailín Ciúin making the Oscar shortlist.
YES!!! Rinne sí é, tá #AnCailínCiúin ar an ngearrliosta! She did it! #TheQuietGirl by @ColmBairead has made it onto @TheAcademy #InternationalFeatureFilm shortlist - first time for an Irish-language film! 🙌🏻 Lá stairiúil! An historic day! 🇮🇪 We are thrilled beyond words 💚 pic.twitter.com/tHdLL34OfH
— An Cailín Ciúin / The Quiet Girl (@quietgirlfilm) December 21, 2022
An Cailín Ciúin is directed by Colm Bairead and based on the story Foster by Claire Keegan.
Starring newcomer Catherine Clinch, the film tells the story of a young girl sent to live with relatives in 1980s' Ireland.
It has already won numerous awards both at home and abroad, including eight IFTAs, and was the first film in the Irish language to win the IFTA for best film.
Meanwhile, the Northern Irish film An Irish Goodbye is shortlisted in the Live Action short film category.
We are proud and overwhelmed that AN IRISH GOODBYE has reached the longlist stage of the 95th Academy Awards® for Best Live Action Short Film. #ForYourConsideration pic.twitter.com/llDHG3upgz
— An Irish Goodbye (@AnIrishGoodbye_) November 27, 2022
