Press release
Minister Martin toasts Irish talent as Ireland scoops 2 Academy Awards
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, today congratulated the two Irish Oscar winners at this year’s 95th Academy Awards ceremony.
Those who received the highest accolade in the movie business are the cast and crew of ‘An Irish Goodbye’ and Richie Baneham’s visual effects team from ‘Avatar: The Way of Water”.
Minister Martin said it was a “historic night” for Ireland, adding that the occasion is testament to the wealth of talent that now exists in the Irish industry”.
Speaking from Los Angeles, California, where the Consulate and Minister were hosting an Oscars viewing event for producers, film executives and the Irish community, the Minister said:
“This evening’s ceremony has been a momentous occasion on so many levels; for the nominees who have received richly deserved plaudits for their creative endeavours; for the Irish film industry which is riding the crest of a wave; and for all of us in Ireland who are so proud of your achievements.
“The Oscars ceremony showcased our talent, our language, and the beauty of our country as a tourism destination to a global audience, and with the pipeline of exciting projects in production at the moment, there is no reason why we can’t be competing every year at the highest level, such is the creative talent within the country at the moment.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of State with special responsibility for the Gaeltacht, Patrick O' Donovan, complimented the team behind An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl) on being nominated in the Best International Film category.
The film, which is adapted from the Claire Keegan book Foster, was shortlisted for Best International Feature Film. It is the first ever movie in the Irish language to get an Oscar nomination.
Minister O’Donovan said:
“I would also like to take this opportunity to commend TG4, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and Screen Ireland for supporting the pipeline of high quality drama content in the Irish language, especially An Cailín Ciúin.”
Minister Martin is currently in LA as part of a major US trade mission to boost investment in Ireland’s film industry, tourism and culture.
Reflecting on Ireland’s historic Oscars win, the Minister noted that films such as The Banshees of Inisherin and An Cailín Ciúin and many other productions are attracted to Ireland as a result of funding support from the Section 481 film tax relief.
The Minister also pointed out that post-production and visual effects (VFX) has become a leading area of expertise in the Irish screen industry, with talent being recognised at home and on the global stage. She said:
“The extension to the Irish film tax relief (Section 481) to the end of December 2028 will give valuable certainty to our film industry and is very welcome news for the sector. The tax relief scheme is central to the record number of Oscar nominations secured by Irish films and filmmakers this year.”
Minister Martin’s trip – a key part of the government’s St Patrick’s Day programme – includes meetings with world leading US studios and production companies, including Sony and Disney, which includes representatives from Marvel, Searchlight and Lucas Film.
The trade mission aims to build on the recent critical success for the Irish screen industry and the recognition of Irish talent on the world’s stage.
The Minister is using the visit to strengthen working relationships between the Irish screen sector and some of the world’s largest film studios and production companies, as well as strengthening Ireland’s reputation as a global tourist destination.