The Irish-language film Kneecap, "the origin story of the riotous and ground-breaking" Belfast rap trio of the same name, has been acquired by Sony Pictures Classics for release in North America and other major markets around the world.
Speaking to RTÉ, Kneecap producer Trevor Birney said: "The film has now been bought by Sony Pictures Classics.
"These guys are behind the films you have known and loved over the last 20 years. And that means that Kneecap the film is going to be seen in 200 cinemas in America this summer. They are going to roll Kneecap out across the world."
He added: "That is just phenomenal, not only for Kneecap, which I am so happy for, but for Irish film and for the little community of producers in Belfast.
"We have had huge success with Game of Thrones and Derry Girls, but this is about indigenous film production, indigenous producers, indigenous crews, making independent film.
"I think this is a really break-out moment for Belfast, for the film community and I just want to pay tribute to them all and say our success is their success and I am delighted for everyone at home in Belfast.
"I think this film will mark a generational shift for film production as well."
The film had its world premiere at the iconic Sundance Film Festival in Utah on Thursday and garnered an enthusiastic reaction among attendees.
The Utah festival-goers gave the film a big round of applause as the credits rolled, and there was raucous laughter from the sold-out audience throughout the premiere screening.
The premiere marked the first time an Irish-language film had screened at the festival. Kneecap is also the first non-US film to ever be selected for the NEXT section of the festival. The festival describes selections for this section as "pure, bold works distinguished by an innovative, forward-thinking approach to story-telling".
In attendance at the premiere were writer/director Rich Peppiatt and stars of the film, Kneecap's Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí, Simone Kirby, Jessica Reynolds and Fionnuala Flaherty. The film also stars Michael Fassbender.
Kneecap is set in West Belfast in 2019 and tells the story of how the group formed and went on to "change the sound of Irish music forever".
"When I first set out to make a film in a language I didn't speak, set in a place I'm not from, little could I have imagined four years later we would be introducing Kneecap the movie to the world at the Mecca of Independent cinema," said writer-director Peppiatt.
Founded in 1978, the Sundance Film Festival is the world's most prestigious festival dedicated to independent films.
Among the Irish films to screen at Sundance in the past are: John Crowley's Brooklyn, Yorgos Lanthimos' The Lobster, John Carney's Sing Street and Lee Cronin's The Hole in the Ground.
Kneecap includes Belfast's Fine Point Films, Dublin's Wildcard Distribution and London's Mother Tongues Films among its producers.
Among the organisations that funded the film are: Northern Ireland Screen, the Irish Language Broadcast Fund, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán and TG4.
Kneecap will be released in Irish cinemas via Wildcard Distribution in 2024, with Kneecap's debut album also due this year.
The Sundance Film Festival runs until 28 January 2024 in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah.
