Irish language movie Kneecap has emerged as the bookies’ favourites to win one of the biggest gongs at this year’s Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTAs) awards.
The film, which tells a semi-fictionalised tale of the Irish language rap trio’s rise to fame, is among the main contenders to secure the ‘Best Film’ award at Friday night’s ceremony.
BoyleSports said the film is 1/3 favourite to win amid predictions it could “steal the show”.
The rap trio, who go by the stage names Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara, and DJ Próvai, co-wrote the film with Rich Peppiatt.
Starring Michael Fassbender and Simone Kirby, it opened in cinemas last August and had the biggest weekend opening for any homegrown film at the Irish box office since Martin McDonagh’s Oscar-nominated The Banshees of Inisherin in 2022.
Just last month, however, the Kneecap semi-biographical comedy-drama missed out on Oscar nominations in the two categories in which it was shortlisted, but it has already bagged top gongs at the Sundance Film Festival and British Independent Film Awards.
But there are hopes for recognition closer to home with the Kneecap movie nominated in 17 categories at the IFTAs, including Best Film and Director, but it faces hot competition from Small Things Like These (3/1), starring Oscar winner Cillian Murphy.
Following his Best Actor victory at the IFTAs last year for Oppenheimer, the Cork native is in the running again at 6/4, although a competitive category this year includes the Kneecap trio, Peter Coonan for King Frankie and Paul Mescal for his starring role in Gladiator II.
IRA dramatisation Say Nothing, which is based on the book by Patrick Radden Keefe, is also in the running for several categories including Best Drama; Lead Actress for Lola Petticrew and Supporting Actress for Hazel Doupe.
The biggest names in the Irish film industry are set to descend on Dublin on Friday night for the IFTAs, which will be held at the Royal Convention Centre.
The awards honour exceptional achievements in film and drama from the past year.
Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “A star-studded cast is set to hit the red carpet in Dublin on Friday night and if the odds are on the money, one movie could steal the show.
“Kneecap already has several accolades in the bag and the Oscars snub has done nothing to stop Irish punters backing it to clean up.”
