The Kneecap movie has joined blockbusters including musical Wicked and sci-fi epic Dune Part Two in being nominated for a Critic’s Choice Award.
The prestigious awards event, which will be marking its 30th year, takes place on January 12 in Santa Monica, California, and celebrates the best in movies and TV from the previous year.
It is also recognised as one of the most accurate indicators for films that will achieve Oscar success.
Kneecap, directed by Rich Peppiatt, has been nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
The comedy drama tells a semi-fictionalised tale of the rise to fame of Irish language rap trio Kneecap.
The group’s Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, Naoise Ó Caireallain and J.J. Ó Dochartaigh, known by stage names Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí, play themselves in the movie, which also features X-Men star Michael Fassbender and Belfast’s Josie Walker.
The film is up against competition including Brazilian political drama I’m Still Here, directed by Walter Salles, and French crime musical Emilia Pérez, from writer/director Jacques Audiard.
Up for Best Picture at the awards are Wizard of Oz musical adaptation Wicked, historical drama The Brutalist, starring Adrian Brody, and Dune Part Two, the sequel to the 2021 film based on the best-selling Frank Herbert science fiction novel.
The Kneecap film is Ireland’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 2025 Oscars, and nominees for all Academy Award categories will be revealed next month.
The movie was also the big winner at the recent British Independent Film Awards, where it won seven gongs, including the top prize of Best British Independent Film.
Meanwhile, Kneecap are joining Paul Weller and Primal Scream in headlining the Gig for Gaza event at the 02 Academy in Brixton, London on Friday evening.
Proceeds from the concert will go towards the Medical Aid For Palestinians and Gaza Forever charities.
