This year’s IFTA Film and Drama awards have welcomed thirteen nominations for TG4-funded films. The 18th Irish Film and Television Academy Awards recognise Irish creative talent working in film, drama, and television, and will take place in March. Ten of the TG4 nominations were received by An Cailín Ciúin alone. Foscadh received two nominations, and Doineann has one.
An Cailín Ciúin
With an impressive number of nominations, An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl ) is an eloquent coming-of-age story, based on Claire Keegan’s acclaimed story, Foster. This film explores the complexity of family, neglect, and loss, through the eyes of the young protagonist, Cáit, played by Catherine Clinch.
The story follows nine-year-old Cáit as she makes the transition from her dysfunctional family home to living with a foster family for the summer. She receives a warm reception from the woman, Eibhlín, but the man of the house, Seán, remains distant and aloof. Over time, Cáit and Seán’s initially tense relationship begins to strengthen. In the care of the Kinsellas, Cáit slowly begins to blossom; she discovers a new way of living. In a house where no secrets are kept, and nothing is hidden, Cáit uncovers a painful truth.
An Cailín Ciúin is the feature film debut of writer/ director Colm Bairéad and producer, Cleona Ní Chrualaoi of Inscéal. This film has been highly praised by critics thus far. It was nominated for ten IFTA awards, including Best Film, Lead Actress Film for Catherine Clinch, and Supporting Actress Film for Carrie Crowley.
This film also premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival earlier this month and won The Grand Prix Award for Best Film from the Generation Kplus International Jury and a Special Mention from the Jury. An Cailín Ciúin also opened the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival last evening, and will be screened at Glasgow Film Festival in March.
Foscadh
Based on Donal Ryan’s book, The Thing About December, Foscadh is a poignant reflection on isolation, neuro-diversity, and letting go of the past. Written and directed by Seán Breathnach, Foscadh is set in the wild mountains of Connemara. The film tells the story of John Cunliffe, a naive, friendless recluse who finds himself suddenly propelled into manhood at the age of 28. Following the death of his overprotective parents, John inherits mountain land that is in the process of being developed into a wind-farm. Left utterly alone, John is forced to navigate the uncertain waters of romance, trust, and vengeance for the very first time.
This thought-provoking piece received two nominations at the IFTA 2022 Awards. Dónall Ó Héalai is nominated for Lead Actor Film and Cillian Ó Gairbhí for Supporting Actor Film.
Doineann
This film showcases a woman and her little son who go missing on a remote Irish island. Her husband must trust a retired policewoman to help recover his lost family. Directed by Damian McCann and written by Aislinn Clarke, Doineann is a suspenseful film that will keep you enthralled until the very end. This film received one nomination for Best Lead Actor Film for Peter Coonan.
Director General of TG4, Alan Esslemont, congratulated the team behind An Cailín Ciúin, stating that the ten nominations are a clear “recognition of the quality of the film, both acting and cinematography’. Alan would also like to offer his congratulations to Magamedia for the two nominations received by Foscadh and Doubleband Films for Doineann’s nomination.
He would also like to thank the commissioning teams at TG4 for “for all their hard work on these films”. It is, indeed, of “great pride” to see TG4 at the “heart of the film sector, both at home and internationally”. He adds with confidence that, this year, “numerous high-quality Irish language films will be shown in cinemas all across Ireland and at International Film Festivals.
