‘Kneecap’ the big winner at British film awards with seven wins including Best Film

The Belfast rap trio, made up of Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh (better known as Mo Chara), Naoise Ó Cairealláín (Moglaí Bap) and JJ Ó Dochartaigh (DJ Próvaí), took home the award for Best Joint Lead Performance.

Director and writer Rich Peppiatt was awarded Best Debut Screenwriter and the film also swept in the craft categories, earning awards for Best Casting, Best Editing, Best Original Music and Best Music Supervision.

Nominated in 14 categories, Kneecap dominated the 27th BIFAs. The winners were announced at a ceremony in London’s Roundhouse on Sunday evening.

Set in 2019 west Belfast, the film is a dramatised, comedic account of how the rap group was formed. It was filmed in Belfast and Dundalk and stars Oscar nominee Michael Fassbender alongside the trio.

Last month, Kneecap won a legal challenge over a decision by the leader of the Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch to refuse them a £14,250 funding award. The UK government conceded the decision by Ms Badenoch, who was then the UK business secretary, was unlawful.

Kneecap has been a critical and commercial success, releasing to rave reviews and crossing the €2m mark at the Irish and UK box office. It has made more than €4m worldwide.

A world premiere was held at the Sundance Film Festival in January, where it became the first Irish language film to win an award at the prestigious festival. It was the opening film of this year’s Galway Film Fleadh and won three prizes including the Audience Award.

The film has been selected by the Irish Film and Television Academy as Ireland’s entry for the International Feature Film category at the upcoming Academy Awards.