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With a record total of 14 nominations, it was a historic year for Irish film making at this year’s 95th Academy Awards.
Unfortunately, even with nine nominations, it wasn’t to be for The Banshees of Inisherin.
The first Irish language film to be shortlisted for the awards, An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl), lost out on Best International Feature Film to All Quiet on the Western Front.
However, there was Irish success with the Best Live Action Short Film going to An Irish Goodbye and Dubliner Richard Baneham winning the Best Visual Effects with Avatar: The Way of Water.
An Irish Goodbye
The Northern Ireland short film An Irish Goodbye picked up the Oscar for Best Live-Action Short Film.
Written and directed by Tom Berkeley and Ross White, this film is set on a farm in rural Northern Ireland.
Estranged brothers Turlough (Seamus O’Hara) and Lorcan (James Martin) are forced to reunite following the untimely death of their mother (Michelle Fairley).
But when the pair discover an unfulfilled bucket list belonging to their late mum, their pained reunion takes an altogether different course.
White and Berkeley both took to the stage to accept the award, along with the film’s star James Martin.
In an unexpected turn of events, the pair decided to dedicate their acceptance speech to singing happy birthday to actor James.
“This award is actually the second most important thing about today, because it’s this man’s birthday,” Tom said, while putting an arm around James.
“We’d love to use the rest of our time up here to sing for James.”
This will go down as one of the lighter moments in Oscars history, as Hollywood A-listers joined in singing happy birthday to Martin.
Best visual effects
The Oscar for Best Visual Effects went to Avatar: The Way of Water. This is Richard Baneham’s second time winning an Oscar.
The Tallaght man won his first Oscar in 2010 for his work on the original Avatar film. He was the visual effects supervisor on the second film. He accepted the trophy by giving thanks in Irish saying, "go raibh maith agat".
Richie studied animation at Ballyfermot College of Further Education (BCFE).
An Irish Goodbye is available on the RTE player.
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