Continuing their seemingly unstoppable take over of the American film circuit Kneecap has been selected for a screening the prestigious South by Southwest film festival in the Lone Star State.

Directed by former journalist and documentary maker Rich Peppiat, Kneecap recently had its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival, making it the first ever Irish language film to be selected for the festival.

Following this the film was acquired by Sony Pictures Classics for distribution, and shortly after won the festival’s Audience Award. This marked the first Irish feature film to win an award at the festival since John Carney’s Once in 2007. Kneecap is now set for release in North America and other global markets through Sony Classic distribution.

Based on a fictional retelling of the origin story of Irish-language rap trio Kneecap, the film stars the band’s Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí in their acting debuts alongside Oscar nominee Michael Fassbender and  Simone Kirby, Jessica Reynolds, Fionnuala Flaherty  and Josie Walker

SXSW 2024’s lineup features 115 features, comprising of 89 World Premieres, 3 International Premieres, 6 North American Premieres, 4 U.S. Premieres, 13 Texas Premieres, as well as 80 Short Films including 19 Music Videos. South by Southwest began in 1987 and has continued growing in both scope and size every year.

SXSW 2024 have a healthy turnout of Irish projects, including Pale Rebel Productions’ film Sound and Colour, starring Cork woman Alison Oliver (Conversations with Friends) and written/directed by Emma Foley (Dead Run), as well as Damian McCarthy’s directorial debut Oddity, produced by Keeper Pictures. The Opening Night TV Premiere of SXSW 2024 is billed to be 3 Body Problem, starring Irish talent Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones).

KNEECAP will be released in Irish cinemas by Wildcard and Curzon in 2024.