Press

'Aontas' Selected as Ireland’s entry for the Oscars in the ‘Best International Feature Film’ category

28.08.26

 
Aontas – Watch Here
 
TG4 is delighted that IFTA has selected Irish language film ‘Aontas’ as Ireland’s entry for the Oscars in the ‘Best International Feature Film’ category. Five TG4 films have been selected by IFTA as Ireland’s entry for Best International Feature Film since 2021 – Arracht, Foscadh, An Cailín Ciúin, Kneecap and now ‘Aontas’.
 
About Aontas:
Three unlikely thieves, led by a woman on the verge of a breakdown, rob a rural Irish Credit Union. Opening in the tragic aftermath of the heist-gone-wrong, Aontas unfolds backwards, chapter by chapter to unravel the events that led to this point. What starts as a poorly executed robbery becomes a portrait of a wilful woman trapped in her own past.
 
Directed by Damian McCann (Doineann), the film stars Carrie Crowley (An Cailín Ciúin, Smother), Bríd Brennan (Shadow Dancer, Doineann) and Eva-Jane Gaffney (Kin, Harry Wild). Produced by Órfhlaith Ní Chearnaigh (Aonaracht) and Christopher Myers (Doineann), written by Sarah Gordon and Damian McCann, this is the first feature from new bilingual company Púca Pictures.
 
New Irish language heist thriller, Aontas, premiered on TG4 and TG4.ie in March. Aontas was funded by TG4, BBC Gaeilge and Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund with support from Yellowmoon.
 
Deirdre Ní Choistín, Director General, TG4: “The selection of Aontas by IFTA to represent Ireland on the international stage is another hugely significant moment for TG4, and a powerful endorsement of original Irish-language creativity and storytelling. Five TG4 films have been selected by IFFA as Ireland’s entry for the Best International Feature Film in recent years. An Cailín Ciúin went on to make history at the Academy Awards in 2023 showing again that original stories told through the Irish language can resonate profoundly with audiences across the world. Aontas continues that momentum and demonstrates the extraordinary creative talent working in our independent production sector. We are enormously proud of our relationship with Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund and with BBC Gaeilge through the Gealán scheme. Congratulations to Damian, Sarah Orfhlaith and Christopher and everyone else involved in Aontas.”
 

Máire Ní Chonláin, Commissioning Editor, TG4: “We are absolutely thrilled that Aontas has been chosen by IFTA as Ireland’s entry for Best International Feature Film. It is a wonderful recognition of the talent and creativity behind this remarkable film. Damian McCann, Sarah Gordon, Órfhlaith Ní Chearnaigh, Christopher Myers and the entire cast and crew have created a distinctive and compelling piece of cinema, rooted in place in Northern Ireland, that has connected with audiences around the world. TG4 is immensely proud to have supported Aontas, and we wish the whole team every success on this exciting next stage of its international journey.”
 

Director Damian McCann shared this about the film: “Aontas was born out of a conversation with my Mum where she described in detail how she would rob a bank (she’s an unlikely candidate…) That conversation led to a film that has connected with audiences around the world. I’ve been blown away by the response to date and I’m excited for audiences at home to see it. The film has resonated strongly with viewers and festivals around the world, and its international success is a testament to the power of its storytelling and performances.”
 

It was filmed in March 2024 in Glenarm, County Antrim, and postproduction was completed at Yellowmoon Postproduction in Holywood, Co. Down.
 
The film’s international premiere took place on 12 February 2025 in Santa Barbara California, and its European premiere followed at DIFF in the Light House Cinema in Dublin on 22nd February 2025. Since then Aontas has won acclaim and awards, among them Best Film, Best Director and Best Script, and has screened at over 40 festivals internationally and in Ireland. Aontas was nominated for 6 IFTAs.