Oscars 2023: An Irish Goodbye's shortlist marks 'celebration' of NI's work

James Martin plays Lorcan who is reunited with his estranged brother Turlough

"This is a real celebration of the work that comes out of Northern Ireland... it's simply fantastic."

That was the feeling within Northern Ireland's film industry, as one local short film prepared to compete at the 95th Oscars on Sunday night.

An Irish Goodbye was nominated - and won - best live action short film.

Andrew Reid from Northern Ireland Screen, which helped fund the movie, said the "wonderful film" has given the region a chance to shine on screen.

An Irish Goodbye, which is set on a rural farm in Northern Ireland, tells the story of two estranged brothers - Lorcan, played by James Martin, and Turlough, Seamus O'Hare - brought together again after their mother's untimely death.

Written and directed by Ross White and Tom Berkeley, the black comedy was shot on location in Londonderry, Templepatrick and Saintfield.

Speaking to BBC News NI, Andrew Reid said he couldn't be prouder of the team involved in An Irish Goodbye.

The brothers disagree over Lorcan's future after the passing of their mother in An Irish Goodbye

"We played just a small part but this is a celebration of talent - Ross and Tom's writing, directing, and Pearce [Cullen] producing," he said.

"It's a real celebration of the work that comes out of Northern Ireland.

"And for the actors as well. Seamus and James have done wonderful work and it's simply super to see them being honoured in this way."

"We've had this before with Boogaloo and Graham and there really are benefits of that for the filmmaking community in Northern Ireland."

Mr Reid said that when An Irish Goodbye was pitched to Northern Ireland Screen for funding it couldn't say no.

(Left to right) Tom Berkeley, Seamus O'Hara, James Martin and Ross White celebrated their Bafta win last month

"The script sort of stood out from the rest and it was really a simple ask and a simple yes for us.

"We were honestly a very small part of a much bigger puzzle; they worked really hard to raise the remaining money and they had a really talented team.

"They are very deserving of all of this."

NI takes LA

The cast and those behind the scenes of An Irish Goodbye made their way to Los Angeles earlier this week.

One of its main stars James Martin was filmed playing the harmonica for a rendition of Dirty Old Town in a pub.

Last month An Irish Goodbye had success at the Baftas and was awarded best British short film.

And there were double celebrations on Sunday night when An Irish Goodbye won an Oscar, as Martin was also celebrating his 31st birthday.

Speaking to the BBC this week, Martin said he couldn't wait for the Academy Awards and to see other movie stars.

• An Irish Goodbye tackles male grief in bid for Oscar glory

• An Irish Goodbye wins Bafta for best short film

Putting NI on the map

This wasn't the first time a Northern Irish film made it to the Academy Awards.

In 2015 the short film Boogaloo and Graham was nominated for the Oscars in the same category.

The film, directed by Michael Lennox, tells the story of two young boys growing up in in 1970s Belfast.

Colin Farrell, Martin McDonagh and Brendan Gleeson are all nominated for Oscars for The Banshees of Inisherin

It was also funded by Northern Ireland Screen.

Mr Reid said the filmmaking industry in Northern Ireland was decades behind the rest of the world due to a lack of funding and a strategy but that these types of projects are putting the region on the map.

"There is an appetite to see stories from Northern Ireland and stories like An Irish Goodbye or even Derry Girls," he said.

"They're doing really, really well and opportunities like this let Northern Ireland shine."

"We punch well above our weight on the global screen."

A night for the Irish

The Irish contingent in Hollywood on Sunday was bigger than ever for the Oscars.

An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl) was nominated for best international feature film - it was the first ever movie in the Irish language to receive an Oscar nomination.

Colm Bairéad's An Cailín Ciúin has already received critical acclaim and surpassed box office records

Then there was the hugely successful tragi-comedy by Martin McDonagh, The Banshees of Inisherin, with nine Oscar nominations.

Set on a remote island off the west coast of Ireland, it is the story of two friends who fall out after one decides to abruptly end their relationship.

The film was up for best picture, original screenplay, original score and film editing, with Martin McDonagh in the director category.

Kerry Condon was nominated for best actress in a supporting role, both Brendan Gleeson and Barry Keoghan were shortlisted for best actor in a supporting role and Colin Farrell was in for best actor in a leading role.

Farrell competed in the same category against fellow Irishman Paul Mescal, from County Kildare, for his role in Aftersun.

Irish editor Jonathan Redmond was also nominated in the best editing category for Elvis, while Irish animator Richard Baneham was shortlisted in the best visual effects category for Avatar: The Way of Water.

'We're all rooting for you'

Asked what sentiments he had for the An Irish Goodbye team, Mr Reid said: "We're immensely proud of your achievements.

Colin Farrell is nominated for best actor in a lead role and Barry Keoghan is in for best supporting actor

"But also thank you. You are wonderful ambassadors for the screen industries in Northern Ireland.

"You know win or not it doesn't matter.

"Just to get nominated is such a phenomenal thing. They have done us proud."

An Irish Goodbye is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.