Meath-made ‘An Cailín Ciúin’ on Academy Awards long list

The Irish-language movie An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl) has been selected by the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) as Ireland's entry for the Best International Feature Film at next year's Academy Awards.

Filmed in Meath, and based on the short story 'Foster' by Claire Keegan, An Cailín Ciúin stars newcomer Catherine Clinch as a young girl sent to live with relatives in rural Ireland in 1981, where she is welcomed with open arms.

The film, directed by Colm Bairéad, made history in Ireland as the first Irish-language film to win the Irish Film and Television Academy Award for Best Film in March, also winning awards for best director, actress, cinematography, editing, production design, original score, and rising star.

Much of the film was shot on location by Breakout Pictures in Summerhill, Moynalvey, Curraghtown, Garlow Cross, Trim and Clonymeath. The film was also honoured at the Dublin and Berlin film festivals earlier this year, and will be the centrepiece of the Meath Film Festival in the Solstice Arts Centre next month.

Meanwhile, a new Irish soap opera going into production is filming in Athboy this week.

'The Small Town' is a new online soap set in small-town Ireland. Like most soaps, it will explore the affairs and feuds of its warring families. Unlike most soaps, there is magic in the air. Between the tragedies and the love triangles, characters will suddenly become invisible or rise from the dead. In The Small Town, the impossible is just around the corner.

Written by Kevin McGee and directed by Colm Sexton, 'The Small Town' stars Joe Rooney from Duleek, Caitríona Ní Mhurchú, and a host of Irish acting talent.