Irish language film An Cailín Ciúin wins historic Grand Prix award at Berlin Film Festival

Following its premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival, An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl) scooped up the Grand Prix for Best Film, from the 'Generation Kplus' International Jury. The win marks a historic first for an Irish-language film.

Based on the story Foster by Claire Keegan, the movie follows the story of nine-year-old Cáit, who was sent away from a crowded, dysfunctional family to live with her foster parents for the summer. It's here that Cáit gets a glimpse of another way of living, as she grows close to her hosts and slowly unravels a painful truth.

Complex and deeply moving, Cáit questions family, neglect and loss in this delicate coming-of-age tale.

This is 12-year-old Catherine Clinch's first role, in which she stars alongside Carrie Crowley (The Morbegs, Echo Island) and Andrew Bennett (The Bachelor Weekend, Angela's Ashes). 

"It was truly an honour to have our world premiere at the Berlinale next to so many wonderful films in the Generation Kplus programme this year," said director Colm Bairéad. "For An Cailín Ciúin to have won the Grand Prix is an overwhelming vindication of TG4, Screen Ireland and the BAI in their vision for indigenous, Irish-language cinema and its potential to reach far beyond our shores."

"It's also a beautiful tribute to the extraordinary work of our cast and crew, most especially the wonderful Catherine Clinch, who was the light that guided us through the making of this film," he continued.

One of four juries at the festival, 'Generation Kplus' is composed of three international film experts: Daniela Cajías, Nicola Jones and Samuel Kishi Leopot. The film also gained a special mention from the Children's Jury, which is made-up of eleven Berlin children, ages 11 to 14.

"Comhghairdeas ó chroí le Colm Bairéad agus an bhfoireann chruthaitheach an scannán An Cáilín Ciúin. Huge congratulations to Colm Bairéad and the creative team behind An Cailin Ciuin," said Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland. "It’s fantastic to see history to be made at the Berlinale as the first Irish-language feature film to screen at the festival."

"Irish language film production has been revitalised in recent years, fostering new and emerging voices with universal stories to tell and is being watched by audiences around the world.”

An Cáilín Ciúin will open The Dublin International Film Festival on February 23rd.

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