Two Irish movies scoop Oscar nominations
Two short Irish films - 'Pentecost' and 'The Shore' - have received Oscar nominations today in the Short Film/Live Action category.
The nominations for the 84th Academy Awards were announced in Los Angeles earlier, with Martin Scorsese's 'Hugo' getting 11 nominations, ahead of silent movie 'The Artist' which got 10 nods.
George Clooney and Brad Pitt are up for Best Actor, but Michael Fassbender missed out, while Meryl Streep and Michelle Williams are inluded in the Best Actress category.
Pentecost is an Irish film about a young altar boy who is obsessed with Liverpool Football Club.
The Irish Film Board congratulated the film's director Peter McDonald and producer Eimear O’Kane and the team behind Albert Nobbs.
James Hickey, Chief Executive of the IFB said: "These nominations are the highest international recognition for Irish talent working in the film industry and also underline Ireland's reputation as a cultural hub. Congratulations to all involved."
Make-up artist Lynn Johnston was delighted that the entire cast and crew work of Albert nobbs got international recognition.
Ms Johnston said: "I was delighted to get the chance to work with Matthew Mungle again and Martial Corneville. Both Glenn and Janet were so patient each morning during the application of the make-up and prosthetics and Rodrigo created a lovely atmosphere on set. I'm so glad I had the chance to work on Albert Nobbs produced by Parallel Films.
"We are delighted to have three Oscar nominations for our film Albert Nobbs which is an Irish story completed filmed on location in Ireland with the support of the Irish Film Board. Getting this film produced meant a lot to Glenn Close and she means a lot to us."
Peter McDonald said: "I’m really proud of Pentecost and everyone’s work on it. It is an Irish story produced by a full Irish cast and crew with funding from the Irish Film Board.
"The film I had in my head is the film that I made and I know from my experience as an actor that doesn’t happen unless you have a talent cast and crew to help you achieve this. I hope that the nomination will create new opportunities for all involved. It is great that the film has connected at such a universal level."
Funded through the IFB’s Signatures short film scheme, Pentecost stars Andrew Bennett, Michael McElhatton and Don Wycherley and tells the story of a young altar boy who is forced to serve at an important mass and has to make a difficult choice: conform to the status quo or serve an extended ban from his passion in life - football.
It is the eighth Irish short film to receive an Academy Award nomination since 2002.
