Film prize nod raises Sheridan’s Oscar hopes

JIM SHERIDAN’S semi-autobiographical film, In America, has received six nominations for an independent film prize.

His family’s tale of emigrating to the US in the 1980s is in the running for Best Feature, Best Director, Best Female Lead, Best Supporting Female, Best Supporting Male and Best Cinematography at the Independent Spirit Awards.

“In America had the most nominations of all the films put forward, so we’re delighted with that,” said a spokeswoman for the distributors, 20th Century Fox.

Mr Sheridan has described the film as “hopeful, loving story” about his family’s experiences in New York. It took him 10 years to write and he also enlisted the help of his daughters, Naomi and Kirsten, who had more memories of their time in America. The result is a true to life story, although Mr Sheridan admits to using dramatic licence in many scenes.

The winners of the Independent Spirit Awards will be announced in February, just one week before the Academy Awards. Already, In America is being spoken of as an Oscar contender.

“Some critics in the US and Europe said In America was too sentimental but most thought it was a beautifully sweet film. I think it has a very good chance at the Oscars because it’s a true story and they love heart-warming films,” said film critic Paul Byrne.

He believes Sarah and Emma Bolger, the two sisters who also play the roles of sisters in the film, may get nominations in the Best Supporting Actress category.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Sarah or Emma get a nomination or both. They [Hollywood] love the idea that a young person wins an Oscar,” he said.

Mr Sheridan is no stranger to the Academy Awards. My Left Foot won a Best Actor Oscar for Daniel Day Lewis in 1989 and a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Brenda Fricker, while his 1993 feature about Gerry Conlon, In the Name of the Father, received numerous Academy Award nominations. In America has grossed 1.9 million here and in the North since it opened last month.