From filmmaking team Inscéal, the film is Ireland’s entry for Best International Feature Film at next year’s Academy Awards.

It’s been announced that Irish language film ‘An Cailín Ciúin’ has been chosen by IFTA (Irish Film and Television Awards) to represent Ireland in the category of Best International Feature Film.

The film is a co-production between TG4, Screen Ireland and Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and is based on the novella ‘Foster’ by Clare Keegan. Set in 1980s rural Ireland, the film is an intricate and poignant realist-fairy tale about childhood trauma and healing through the eyes of one Cáit; the titular quiet girl.

Produced by Inscéal duo Cleona Ní Chrualoai and writer-director Colm Bairéad, the pair acknowledged the breakthrough made for Irish language cinema by way of the nomination.

“We are honoured beyond words that An Cailín Ciúin / The Quiet Girl has been selected to represent Ireland. Our heartfelt thanks to IFTA and its selection committee. We have always believed in the idea that an Irish-language film could stand shoulder to shoulder with the best of world cinema and we feel so proud to be representing our country and our language in this way.”

News of the film’s chances of a nomination is set to arrive by the end of 2022. In December, the Academy of Motion Pictures, Art and Sciences will dwindle the nominees down to fifteen and by January the final five nominees will be announced.

Elaborating on the decision, IFTA CEO Áine Moriarty praised the film for its warm heart. “This is such a unique and  beautiful film that captures your heart from the outset, and leaves you profoundly moved.  How proud we are to submit this outstanding Irish language film into the Oscar competition, to compete with the best in the world, as we know this story will resonate with international audiences, beyond the borders of language, and no doubt with American Academy Members too”. 

The film has previously scooped up awards at last year’s Berlinale, where it had its premiere, the Taipei film festival in Taiwan and won eight awards at this year’s Irish Film and Television Awards.

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