The Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) has announced that that Rich Peppiatt’s Irish language film Kneecap, the award-winning dramedy set in post-Troubles Belfast about the eponymous rap group, has been selected as the Irish submission for Best International Feature at next year’s Academy Awards.

It follows the footsteps of An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl), which was the first Irish language feature to receive a nomination in the category, having made it all the way to the final five at last year’s Oscars.

The film stars group members Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí as themselves – alongside Academy Award-nominated actor Michael Fassbender, Simone Kirby, Jessica Reynolds, Fionnuala Flaherty and Josie Walker.

Kneecap already won the NEXT Audience Award at Utah's Sundance Film Festival in January, after becoming the first Irish-language title to ever premiere at the festival.

Never in doubt 💚🤍🧡 https://t.co/8jIl3XPyXR

— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) August 2, 2024

It also received its Irish premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh last month, where it won the awards for Best Irish Film and Best Irish Language Film categories, as well as the Audience award – becoming the first feature to take home all three.

It will open in Irish cinemas on August 8, and is being released in the US today.

The shortlist for the International Feature Film Oscar will be announced on December 17, while the final five nominees will be announced on January 17 2025.

After the IFTA announcement, writer-director Rich Peppiatt said: "Since the start of the year when Kneecap premiered in Sundance, we've been humbled by the grá the film has received around the world. But nothing hits quite like the reception we've had at home in Ireland.

"To get the opportunity to represent our nation on the biggest film stage of them all is an absolute privilege. Míle Buíochas to IFTA and everyone who's been part of and supported our wee film."

KNEECAP – the band — are also gracing the cover of Hot Press’ August issue, which is available to pre-order below: