The 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival has revealed this year’s award winners, which include the prize for Best Actor for Irish rap group KNEECAP for their performances in their self-titled film.

Directed by Rich Peppiatt, Kneecap follows the eponymous rap group through post-Troubles Belfast, detailing their meteoric rise and how they became unlikely heroes of a civil rights movement to protect and revamp the Irish language.

It saw the acting debut of the group — Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara, and DJ Próvaí — whose performances were called “authentic and explosive” at the film festival

In its statement explaining why Kneecap were chosen, the jury said the group’s performance was “seamless”, despite it being their first acting roles.

GRMA to @PSFilmFest

Never in doubt…acting is handy out pic.twitter.com/etl4O5halL

— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) January 12, 2025

“Proving equally authentic and explosive in both capacities, they bring a fresh and propulsive energy to the whole notion of cultural identity.”

The jury members were Brian D. Johnson (Canadian film critic), Marcelo Janot (Brazilian film critic), and Paola Caseslla (Italian film critic).

Kneecap was recently announced as part of the shortlist for Best International Feature and Best Original Song Oscars, as well as scoring nominations at the Critics Choice Awards in the US.

They also took home seven awards including Best British Independent Film at the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) last month, and scored four nominations at the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards.