It is not necessary to be a sceptic to dismiss the Oscars as a low-cal smoothie, mixing a marketing love-in and a hiring fair. After all, every industry has self-aggrandising jamborees.

On the eve of the 90th Academy Awards, Darragh Leen peers inside the envelope for some Oscar clues, and predictions.

“Réalt Mór Leitir Mealláin”

The country’s oldest film festival came to a close last night with Irish short film ’Wave’ now in contention for an Oscar, after being selected as the Grand Prix Irish Short winner at the Cork Film Festival 2017 Awards Ceremony.