Irish Oscar Nominations showcase an exciting new era of great Irish filmmaking.

Nominations for the 88th Academy Awards were announced on Thursday 14^th January with leading Irish talent in the running among the best in the world in the 2016.  Irish films ‘Room’ and ‘Brooklyn’ both nominated for Best Picture which is a first for Ireland to have not one but two contenders in the world’s top ten films.

John Crowley’s ‘Brooklyn’, produced by Parallel Films, headed up by Alan Moloney, received three nominations in total including Best Film, Best Actress (Saoirse Ronan), Best Adapted Screenplay (Nick Hornby). Following on from her SAG, Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations, ‘Brooklyn’ actress Saoirse Ronan has been nominated for Best Leading Actress for her performance as a young Irish immigrant in 1950’s New York who is torn between two men and two countries. The young actress has so far picked up a New Hollywood Award and a New York Critics Circle Best Actress Award.  This is Saoirse’s second Oscar nomination as she was nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category for ‘Atonement’ in 2008.

Lenny Abrahamson’s ‘Room’, produced by Element Pictures (headed up by Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe) and supported by the Irish Film Board, has garnered four nominations for Best Film, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay (Emma Donoghue) and Best Actress (Brie Larson).  This is Lenny Abrahamson’s first Oscar Nomination and his superb work has earned him a place among the top 5 Best Directors short-listed this year.  Emma Donoghue is nominated for adapting her own novel and has also been nominated for a BAFTA and a Golden Globe Award for her work on the film.  This

Michael Fassbender has been nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his critically lauded role in Danny Boyle’s ‘Steve Jobs’. Fassbender, has so far received SAG, Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations as well as an International Star Award at Palm Springs for his performance as Jobs. This is Fassbender’s second Oscar nomination, following his Best Supporting Actor nom in 2014 for Steve McQueen’s ’12 Years A Slave’.

Finally, Stutterer, written directed and edited by Benjamin Cleary is nominated for the Best Live Action Short Film.

James Hickey, Chief Executive Bord Scannán hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB) said:
"What a triumph for Irish film. It's a staggering achievement for the Irish film industry to be recognised amongst the very best in the world.  It's a day for the Irish film industry and the entire country to be very proud. It truly is a golden age for Irish film."

Áine Moriarty, Chief Executive Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) said,
“What fantastic achievements for these superb Irish filmmakers and Oscar nominees, in being recognised amongst the best in the world. It reinforces the fact that we now have a great resource of excellent Irish creative talent and expertise on this small island. Congratulations, you have inspired us all and done your country proud.”

Minister for Arts, Heather Humphreys said, “
The Irish Film Industry is on a roll at the moment, having enjoyed numerous award successes in recent months, thanks to the hard work, talent and dedication of those in the sector. These Oscar nominations further enhance our reputation in the film industry internationally."

There was disappointment that Viva, the superb Irish Film contender in the Best Foreign Language Film category directed by Paddy Breathnach and written by Mark O’Halloran narrowly missed out on the Oscar.  Treasure Entertainment and all of the team can be very proud of their achievement in getting down to the last nine films being considered from around the world.

The 88th Academy Awards will take place on February 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California.

The Irish Nominations are:
 

Best Picture
The Big Short
Bridge of Spies
Brooklyn
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian 
The Revenant 
Room 
Spotlight

Best Director
Alejandro G Inarritu - The Revenant
Tom McCarthy - Spotlight
Adam McKay - The Big Short
George Miller - Mad Max: Fury Road
Lenny Abrahamson - Room

Actor in a Leading Role
Leonardo DiCaprio - The Revenant
Bryan Cranston - Trumbo
Michael Fassbender - Steve Jobs
Eddie Redmayne - The Danish Girl
Matt Damon - The Martian

Actress in a Leading Role
Brie Larson - Room
Cate Blanchett - Carol
Saoirse Ronan - Brooklyn
Jennifer Lawrence - Joy 
Charlotte Rampling - 45 Years

Adapted Screenplay
The Big Short 
Brooklyn – Nick Hornby
Carol 
The Martian 
Room – Emma Donoghue

Live Action Short Film

Ave Maria 
Day One 
Everything Will Be Okay (Alles Wird Gut) 
Shok 
Stutterer