Kneecap shortlisted for two Oscar nominations

Belfast rap group Kneecap have been shortlisted for two Oscar nominations in 2025 for their recent self-titled film.

The trio could be up for two awards next year, including Best International Feature where they’re up against 14 other shortlisted nominees, and Best Original Song for their film-featured track ‘Sick In The Head’.

Kneecap landed in August from director Rich Peppiatt, featuring Hollywood star Michael Fassbender. The film follows the rise of Kneecap, who journey on a mission to save their mother tongue by rapping in their native Irish, exploring themes of Northern Irish identity.

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The 2024-released film made it onto the Best International Feature shortlist from a longlist of 85, and now competes against 14 others for nominations.

Meanwhile, the group are competing with the likes of Robbie Williams, Elton John, and Pharell Williams for Best Original Song in 2025, after being whittled down from an 89-strong longlist.

The Academy Awards 2025 ceremony is set to go ahead in Los Angeles, California, on March 2. Nominations for the next awards ceremony will be unveiled on January 17.

"To make it onto an Oscar shortlist is no mean feat, 85 countries or regions submitted films that were eligible for consideration in the International Feature Film category,” says Richard Williams, chief executive of Northern Ireland Screen (via BBC).

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"We are delighted to see Kneecap make the shortlist of 15,” he said. “This is testament not only to the incredible talent and creativity of the filmmakers and performers but also to the rich storytelling potential of Northern Ireland.”

In November, a court in Belfast ruled that the British government acted “illegally” in withholding significant funding from Kneecap.

It followed a decision to take legal action after their 2023 arts council funding application was revoked. The group claimed that they were being silenced by the UK government, while a judge called the decision “unlawful and procedurally unfair”.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter