Thriller Aontas to represent Ireland in Oscars race

The Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) has chosen Irish-language thriller Aontas to represent Ireland in the International Feature Film category for the upcoming Academy Awards. This follows the success of Oscar-nominated An Cailín Ciúin (2023) and Oscar-shortlisted Kneecap (2024). The shortlist for the International Feature Film Oscar will be revealed on December 15, with the final five nominees announced on January 21, 2027. The film will be shown in Los Angeles on March 14, 2027.

Directed by Damian McCann, Aontas stars Carrie Crowley, Bríd Brennan, and Eva-Jane Gaffney. The film was produced by Órfhlaith Ní Chearnaigh and Christopher Myers, and written by Sarah Gordon and Damian McCann. It marks the first feature from the new bilingual company Púca Pictures.

Aontas follows three unlikely thieves, led by a woman on the brink of a breakdown, as they rob a rural Irish Credit Union. The story unfolds in reverse, from a tragic aftermath to the events leading up to the robbery. Initially a poorly executed heist, the film becomes a poignant portrait of a woman trapped in her own past.

Filming took place in March 2024 in Glenarm, Co Antrim, with post-production completed at Yellowmoon Postproduction in Holywood, Co Down. The film was funded by TG4, BBC Gaeilge, and Northern Ireland Screen's Irish Language Broadcast Fund, with support from Yellowmoon. IFTA CEO Áine Moriarty praised Aontas as an intriguing and clever twist on the classic bank heist narrative, highlighting the powerful female performances by the lead actresses.

Director McCann expressed his honor at the film's selection, thanking IFTA and the committee for their support.

The film's journey has been remarkable, with its specific Irish story resonating with international audiences. McCann and co-writer Sarah Gordon wrote the script in their attic and shot over 18 rainy days in the Glens of Antrim, never imagining the film's global impact. They express gratitude to their film funders, including the Irish Language Broadcast Fund, TG4, BBC Gaeilge, and Yellowmoon.