Irish language film wins prestigious international award

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, has congratulated the cast and crew of the Irish language film ‘An Cailín Ciúin’ which has won the prestigious Grand Prix of the Generation Kplus International Jury for the Best Film at the Berlin Film Festival.

Minister Martin said, “Comhghairdeas ó chroí to all involved in An Cailín Ciúin feature film on winning one of the top prizes at the prestigious Berlin Film Festival. It is a truly remarkable achievement. It acknowledges Irish filmmaking talent on the world stage. Also, the fact that the film is in our native language makes the award all the more special. The film made history already as the first¬ Irish¬ language feature film to be selected for the Berlin Film Festival where it was warmly welcomed by the audience at its showing last week.

"This achievement also represents the importance of supporting our film industry. This production was made possible through public funding from Section 481 film tax relief, as well as from Screen Ireland, Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and TG4.”

Notes to Editors

An Cailín Ciúin is an Irish language full length feature film based on Irish author Claire Keegan’s long short story Foster. Keegan also wrote the successful Small Things Like These in 2021.

The Berlinale is now in its 72nd year and is one of the five most prestigious film festivals in the world.

This film is a distinctly Irish talent-driven cultural endeavour, from its literary source material to the creative team aiming to realise its cinematic expression.

The film is set in the 1980s and is seen through the eyes of a young girl in foster care at a time when there was mass emigration in Ireland as well as high unemployment, the Stardust tragedy and the divisive abortion referendum.

The film’s Production Company is Insceál Ltd, based in Dublin.