A nation holds its breath - again: Will An Cailín Ciúin win Best International Feature at the Oscars?

The husband and wife team behind An Cailín Ciúin, writer-director Colm Bairéad and producer Cleona Ní Chrualaoi, tell Esther McCarthy just why the Oscars feel a little like Italia 90

Young actor Catherine Clinch in An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl) - up for an Oscar for Best International Film

This year’s Oscars have a distinct ‘Italia ’90’ feel in Irish film circles as the country celebrates a remarkable 14 nominations for Irish talent and titles.

Irish storytelling is front and centre at the world’s biggest celebration of movies – and at the heart of it all is a little film, the proverbial obscure player that has charged all the way to the finals.