Rappers Kneecap among Irish talent shortlisted for Oscars

The film Kneecap has been shortlisted in the best international feature film category and for best original song for Sick In The Head. The comedy movie, which also stars actor Michael Fassbender, follows the Belfast group on their mission to save their mother tongue through music, and is directed by Rich Peppiatt. Members of Kneecap holding aloft director Rich Peppiatt attending the British Independent Film Awards ceremony at London’s Roundhouse in December (Yui Mok/PA) It comes after the group won their discrimination court battle against UK Leader of the Opposition and former business secretary Kemi Badenoch, after the UK Government conceded it was “unlawful” to refuse them a £14,250 Music Export Growth Scheme funding award. Earlier this month, Kneecap scooped seven gongs at the British Independent Film Awards, including best British independent film. Meanwhile The Apprentice, produced by Irish production company Tailored Films, has been shortlisted in the best makeup and hairstyling category, and Room Taken, a short film funded under Screen Ireland’s flagship Focus Shorts scheme and directed by TJ O’Grady-Peyton, is shortlisted for best live action short. Nominations voting begins on January 8 and is set to conclude on January 12 ahead of the announcement of nominations on...