Irish-language cinema has bright future despite Oscars snub, says Kneecap director

Kneecap writer-director Richard Peppiatt (left) and producer Trevor Birney join members of the cast and crew of the movie Kneecap for a screening of the Oscar nominations at Madden's Bar in Belfast.

Hollywood may not have been quite ready to see Kneecap “walking down the red carpet smoking a joint” but the makers of the comedy biopic about the hip-hop trio say it has shown there is a “bright future” for Irish-language cinema and an indigenous industry in Belfast.

The producers of the film — which is named after the group — and their family and friends turned out to watch the Academy Awards nominations announcement in Madden’s bar in Belfast with the band tuning in on Zoom from London, where they are recording a new album.