Ireland has entered the race for the Best International Feature Film Oscar, selecting the Irish-language crime thriller Aontas as its official submission for the 2026 Academy Awards. The announcement, confirmed on Friday, positions the Dublin-set production as a major contender in a category that has historically favored European cinema, though the island nation has yet to claim a win in the field.
Directed by Damian McCann, the 92-minute film stars Carrie Crowley, Brid Brennan, and Eva-Jane Gaffney as a trio of unlikely criminals who rob a rural Credit Union in a scheme that immediately unravels. The narrative unfolds in reverse chronology, with each scene peeling back another layer of the botched heist to reveal the missteps, loyalties, and accidents that led to the initial chaos. The film’s title, Aontas, translates from Irish as "unity," a nod to the fragile alliance at the story’s core.
Produced under the Irish film industry banner, Aontas premiered in February 2026 and has since earned a solid 7/10 rating on TMDb, with critics singling out the performances of its veteran leads. Crowley, known for her work in Brooklyn, brings a weathered resolve to the role of MairĂ©ad, while Brennan’s Cáit adds a quiet, unpredictable edge. Gaffney’s Sheila completes the trio with a nervous energy that fuels the film’s tension. The supporting cast includes Seán T. Ă“ Meallaigh as Colly, Marcus Lamb as Dara, Art Parkinson as Éamonn, Naseen Morgan as Elma, and Niall Mac Eachmharcaigh as BrĂan.
The selection was made by a committee convened by Screen Ireland, which reviewed more than a dozen eligible features released between January and August of this year. In a statement, the committee praised Aontas for its "bold narrative structure and authentic portrayal of rural Irish life," while also noting that the film’s universal themes of desperation and trust would resonate beyond domestic audiences. McCann, who previously directed the acclaimed The Devil’s Doorway, said in an interview following the announcement that the reverse-chronology approach was inspired by a desire to keep audiences "off-balance, just like the characters."
The Irish-language choice carries symbolic weight. While Ireland has submitted films in English in past years, the decision to put forward a work performed entirely in Irish underscores a growing cultural push to elevate the language. Aontas will need to clear a competitive shortlist: over 80 countries typically submit entries, with the field trimmed to 15 semi-finalists in December before the final five nominees are announced in January. The last Irish submission to make the shortlist was An CailĂn CiĂşin (The Quiet Girl) in 2023, which earned a nomination but lost to All Quiet on the Western Front.
The film’s backward narrative structure has drawn comparisons to Christopher Nolan’s Memento and the 2019 thriller The Invisible Witness, though McCann has noted that his intent was more grounded in character study than puzzle-box gimmickry. Reviews have highlighted how the reverse order transforms the robbery itself into a secondary concern, with the focus shifting to the women’s relationships and the small betrayals that doom their plan. One critic described it as "a heist movie that cares less about the money and more about what people will do to keep a secret."
The Academy’s International Feature Film branch will finalize its shortlist on December 17, with nominations announced on January 22, 2027. The ceremony itself is set for March 14 in Los Angeles. For now, Aontas joins an early field that includes anticipated entries from France, South Korea, and Argentina, though most countries have yet to announce their picks. Film analysts suggest that Ireland’s best chance may lie in the film’s emotional resonance during awards-season screenings, where personal stories from smaller markets often outperform flashier productions.
McCann, speaking to local press, kept expectations measured. "Making the list was a win," he said. "The rest is out of our hands." The director also confirmed that a subtitled version for international release is already in theaters across Europe, with a North American rollout planned for early fall to coincide with Academy voting. For audiences unfamiliar with Irish-language cinema, Aontas offers a taut, 92-minute entry point - one that begins, fittingly, with the aftermath of a crime and works its way back to the first, fatal decision.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
