Their film Kneecap has been shortlisted for Best International Feature Film and Best Original Song for “Sick in the Head.” The comedy, directed by Rich Peppiatt and starring Michael Fassbender, follows the Belfast group as they strive to preserve their native language through music.

The recognition comes after Kneecap won a court battle against UK opposition leader and former business secretary Kemi Badenoch. The UK government admitted it was “unlawful” to deny the group a £14,250 Music Export Growth Scheme funding award.

Earlier this month, the group also triumphed at the British Independent Film Awards, taking home seven honours, including Best British Independent Film.

In other Irish film achievements, The Apprentice, produced by Irish company Tailored Films, has been shortlisted for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Additionally, Room Taken, a Screen Ireland Focus Shorts-funded film directed by TJ O’Grady-Peyton, is up for Best Live Action Short.

Oscar nominations voting begins January 8 and concludes January 12, with final nominees announced on January 17. The 97th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Reflecting on the journey, Peppiatt described it as surreal.

“If someone had told us in 2019, when we were brainstorming this film in a pub, that five years later we’d be Oscar contenders, we’d have thought they were mad,” he said. “It’s been a rollercoaster of hard work and great fun, and walking the Hollywood red carpet would be the perfect finale.”

Desiree Finnegan, CEO of Screen Ireland, congratulated the teams behind Kneecap, The Apprentice, and Room Taken.

“This marks only the second time an Irish-language film has been shortlisted for Best International Feature Film. Having three Irish films recognized across categories is an extraordinary accomplishment for Irish cinema,” she said.