96th Academy Awards see Cillian Murphy and Irish-produced Poor Things triumph

The 96th Academy Awards in Los Angeles proved to be a triumphant occasion for Irish film, as Cillian Murphy was crowned best actor, and Dublin-based Element Pictures became the most successful Irish production company in Oscars history.

Oppenheimer, the film in which Murphy starred, was the big winner on the night, picking up seven awards from the thirteen categories it was nominated for.

“Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas, it's been the wildest, most exhilarating, most creatively satisfying journey you've taken me on over the last 20 years,” said the Cork native in his acceptance speech. “I owe you more than I can say.”

"I want to thank my incredible team.... Yvonne McGuinness, my partner in life and art, my two boys, Malachy and Aran, who are sitting up there. I love you so much. I'm a very proud Irishman standing here tonight.”

The actor also dedicated his speech to “peacemakers everywhere”,  a sentiment which earned praise from President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins.

Poor Things, produced and developed by Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe and the team at Dublin based Element Pictures, won four awards at the 96th including Best Actress for Emma Stone, Best Production Design, Best Makeup & Hairstyling, Best Costume Design.

The most wins for an Irish produced film ever, it brings the total number of Academy Awards won by the production studio to six. Element Pictures now has more Oscars under their belt than any other Irish production company has won in the history of the awards.

Elsewhere, viewers were treated to a surprise appearance from Guns ‘n’ Roses hero Slash, who joined Barbie actor Ryan Gosling from a rocking rendition of ‘I’m Just Ken’. Ultimately, it was another song from the Greta Gerwig-directed feature which took home the award for ‘Best Song’ - Billie Eilish’s ‘What Was I Made For?’

Oscars 2024 winners list:

Best Picture:

Oppenheimer

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:

Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:

Emma Stone (Poor Things)

Best Director:

Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role:

Da'Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role:

Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer)

Best Costume Design:

Poor Things

Best Make-up and Hairstyling:

Poor Things

Best Live Action Short Film:

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

Best Animated Short Film:

‘War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John and Yoko

Best Adapted Screenplay:

American Fiction

Best Original Screenplay:

Anatomy of a Fall

Best Original Song:

‘What Was I Made For?’ (Barbie)

Best Original Score:

Oppenheimer

Best Documentary Feature Film:

20 Days in Mariupol

Best Documentary Short Film:

The Last Repair Shop

Best International Feature Film:

The Zone of Interest (UK)

Best Animated Feature Film:

The Boy and the Heron

Best Production Design:

Poor Things

Best Film Editing:

Oppenheimer

Best Sound:

The Zone of Interest

Best Visual Effects:

Godzilla Minus One

Best Cinematography:

Oppenheimer