Belfast rap trio Kneecap triumphed at last night's British Independent Film Awards, claiming the top honour along with six other gongs, for their critically acclaimed movie of the same name.
The Irish-language film also scored three major accolades: Best British Independent Film, Best British Independent Best Debut Screenwriter for Rich Peppiatt, and Best Joint Lead Performance, awarded to members Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, during a ceremony in London's Roundhouse on Sunday evening.
Speaking at the awards ceremony writer and director Rich Peppiatt said: "We're glad that the Best British Film isn't even British... it's Irish."
These wins build on the film's earlier sweep in the craft categories, where it secured BIFA honours last month for Best Casting, Best Editing, Best Original Music, and Best Music Supervision.
"The fact this movie has a platform now and resonates with people around the world, is something that is sending a strong message to people around the world that their indigenous native culture is important."
— BIFA (@BIFA_film) December 8, 2024
Bravo to tonight's big winners, Kneecap.@KNEECAPCEOL pic.twitter.com/rIy8TfnWoZ
The film, written and directed by Peppiatt (One Rogue Reporter) stars the members of the West Belfast rap trio Kneecap (Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara and DJ Próvaí) alongside an ensemble cast including Oscar-nominee Michael Fassbender, Simone Kirby, Josie Walker, Fionnuala Flaherty, Jessica Reynolds and Adam Best.
Set in West Belfast in 2019, when fate brings Belfast schoolteacher JJ into the orbit of Naoise and Liam Óg, the needle drops on a hip-hop act like no other. Rapping in their native Irish language, the trio create their own genre of Irish punk rap, melding the Irish and English language with electrifying energy.
Kneecap includes Belfast's Fine Point Films, Dublin's Wildcard Distribution, London's Mother Tongues Films and the British Film Institute (BFI) among its producers.
Among the organisations that funded the film are: Northern Ireland Screen, the Irish Language Broadcast Fund, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán and TG4.
BIFA veteran, Saoirse Ronan, missed out in the Best Lead Performance category for her role in The Outrun.
Based on the best-selling memoir of the same name by Amy Liptrot, the film tells the story of Rona, a young woman who returns to the Orkney Islands after ten years of partying in London and a spell in rehab for alcoholism.
The 30-year-old stunned in a shimmering navy gown which featured a sheer cape, while her 34-year-old husband - Scottish actor Jack Lowden - looked dapper in an all-black ensemble.
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Speaking on the red carpet, the Irish actress poked fun at her husband who offered her advice on how to tackle the accent, saying: "He's fine! Less annoying on set than he is off set," she joked.
Lowden said he is "enormously proud" of his wife, adding: "She really does do a great Scottish accent – better than mine!"
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