Kneecap (film)
Updated: 12/11/2025, 3:21:05 PM Wikipedia source
Kneecap is a 2024 comedy-drama film. Written and directed by Rich Peppiatt, the film depicts the rise of Kneecap, an Irish hip-hop trio from Belfast, Northern Ireland. The film stars the band members as themselves, with Josie Walker, Fionnuala Flaherty, Jessica Reynolds, Adam Best, Simone Kirby, and Michael Fassbender in supporting roles. Kneecap premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival on 18 January, the first film in the Irish language to do so, where it won the NEXT Audience Award. Its Irish premiere, at the 36th edition of the Galway Film Fleadh, won Best Irish Film, the Audience Award and the Irish Language Feature Film Award. The film was released on 2 August 2024 in the United States by Sony Pictures Classics, on 8 August 2024 in Ireland, and in the United Kingdom on 23 August, by Wildcard Distribution and Curzon Film, respectively. It received nominations in six categories at the 78th British Academy Film Awards and was selected as the Irish entry for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, but was not nominated.
Infobox
Tables
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
| Sundance Film Festival | 26 January 2024 | NEXT Audience Award | Kneecap | Won | |
| Sydney Film Festival | 16 June 2024 | Sydney Film Prize | Nominated | ||
| GIO Audience Award forBest International Feature | Runner-up | ||||
| Galway Film Fleadh | 14 July 2024 | Best Irish Language Feature Film | Won | ||
| Best Irish Film | Won | ||||
| Best Audience Award | Won | ||||
| Clio Entertainment Awards | 14 November 2024 | Theatrical: Trailer | "Kneecap Redband Trailer" by Silk Factory for Curzon Film | Won | |
| European Film Awards | 7 December 2024 | European University Film Award | Kneecap | Nominated | |
| European Discovery – Prix FIPRESCI | Rich Peppiatt | Nominated | |||
| Astra Film Awards | 8 December 2024 | Best International Feature | Kneecap | Nominated | |
| British Independent Film Awards | 8 December 2024 | Best British Independent Film | Rich Peppiatt, Trevor Birney, and Jack Tarling | Won | |
| Best Director | Rich Peppiatt | Nominated | |||
| Best Debut Director | Nominated | ||||
| Best Debut Screenwriter | Won | ||||
| Best Joint Lead Performance | Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, and JJ Ó Dochartaigh | Won | |||
| Best Screenplay | Rich Peppiatt | Nominated | |||
| Best Casting | Carla Stronge | Won | |||
| Best Cinematography | Ryan Kernaghan | Nominated | |||
| Best Costume Design | Zjena Glamocanin | Nominated | |||
| Best Editing | Julian Ulrichs and Chris Gill | Won | |||
| Best Music Supervision | Gary Welch and Jeanette Rehnstrom | Won | |||
| Best Original Music | Michael "Mikey J" Asante | Won | |||
| Best Production Design | Nicola Moroney | Nominated | |||
| Best Sound | Louise Burton, Brendan Rehill, Aza Hand, and Chris Woodcock | Nominated | |||
| San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle | 15 December 2024 | Best International Feature Film | Kneecap | Nominated | |
| IndieWire Critics Poll | 16 December 2024 | Best International Film | 10th place | ||
| Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association | 18 December 2024 | Best Foreign Language Film | 5th place | ||
| Dublin Film Critics' Circle | 19 December 2024 | Best Irish Film | 1st place | ||
| Les Arcs Film Festival | 20 December 2024 | Crystal Arrow for Best Film | Rich Peppiatt | Won | |
| Young Jury Prize | Won | ||||
| Cinglés du Cinéma Prize | Won | ||||
| Best Original Music | Michael "Mikey J" Asante | Won | |||
| Kansas City Film Critics Circle | 4 January 2025 | Best Foreign Language Film | Kneecap | Nominated | |
| Austin Film Critics Association | 6 January 2025 | Best International Film | Nominated | ||
| Georgia Film Critics Association | 7 January 2025 | Nominated | |||
| Best Original Song | "Sick in the Head" | Nominated | |||
| Cinema Eye Honors | 9 January 2025 | Kneecap | Heterodox Award | Nominated | |
| Palm Springs International Film Festival | 12 January 2025 | FIPRESCI Prize for Best International Feature Film | Kneecap | Nominated | |
| FIPRESCI Prize for Best Actor in an International Feature Film | Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Provái | Honored | |||
| Houston Film Critics Society | 14 January 2025 | Best Foreign Language Feature | Kneecap | Nominated | |
| London Film Critics' Circle | 2 February 2025 | Film of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Foreign Language Film of the Year | Nominated | ||||
| British/Irish Film of the Year | Nominated | ||||
| Breakthrough British/Irish Filmmaker of the Year | Rich Peppiatt | Won | |||
| Critics' Choice Awards | 7 February 2025 | Best Foreign Language Film | Kneecap | Nominated | |
| Artios Awards | 12 February 2025 | International Film | Carla Stronge | Nominated | |
| IFTA Awards | 14 February 2025 | Best Film | Kneecap | Nominated | |
| Best Director – Film | Rich Peppiatt | Won | |||
| Best Lead Actor – Film | Naoise Ó Caireallain | Nominated |
References
- Tied with Red Rooms
- Jury statement: "To Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Provái, for their seamless performance as an ensemble of musicians who
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2024/film/global/kneecap-sony-pictures-classics-sales-sundance-1235877830/
- Kneecaphttps://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/kneecap-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdixmjmy
- Screen Dailyhttps://www.screendaily.com/news/irish-rap-trio-kneecap-wins-arts-funding-case-against-uk-government/5199588.article
- "Kneecap"https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl444366849/weekend/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2024/08/oscars-ireland-kneecap-1236029778/
- Irish Independenthttps://m.independent.ie/irish-news/belfast-rap-group-kneecap-make-history-with-new-film-becoming-first-irish-language-movie-at-sundance-festival/a2055017231.html
- The Irish Timeshttps://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/2023/12/06/kneecap-irish-rap-groups-biopic-to-have-world-premiere-at-sundance-film-festival-2024/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2023/film/global/michael-fassbender-kneecap-irish-rap-group-film-1235712715/
- Belfast Livehttps://www.belfastlive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/film-based-kneecaps-origin-story-28241592
- The Irish Newshttps://www.irishnews.com/arts/film/2023/12/06/news/kneecap_movie_to_premiere_at_sundance_film_festival-3829998/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2023/film/global/irish-rap-band-kneecap-great-8-charades-curzon-rich-peppiatt-1235607606/
- The Line of Best Fithttps://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/kneecap-detail-the-physical-release-of-film-soundtrack-album
- "KNEECAP (ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK)"https://kneecap.bandcamp.com/album/kneecap-original-soundtrack
- NMEhttps://www.nme.com/news/music/kneecap-announce-vinyl-and-cd-release-of-movie-soundtrack-with-fontaines-d-c-bicep-and-more-3812640
- NMEhttps://www.nme.com/news/film/kneecap-movie-tracklist-every-song-in-order-of-when-its-played-3785972
- Stereogumhttps://www.stereogum.com/2291115/oscars-2025-best-original-song-shortlist-includes-saoirse-ronan-kneecap-trent-reznor-atticus-ross-more/news/
- "Irish-language film Kneecap to have world premiere at Sundance Film Festival in US"https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2023/1206/1420554-irish-language-film-in-world-premiere-first-at-sundance/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2024/01/sundance-kneecap-michael-fassbender-sony-pictures-classics-1235797777/
- Louderhttps://www.loudersound.com/news/kneecap-trailer-loudest-funniest-movie-of-2024?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2024/04/kneecap-release-date-sony-pictures-classics-1235882972/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2024/film/global/kneecap-didi-sundance-london-1235960195/
- High on Filmshttps://www.highonfilms.com/must-watch-movies-mami-mumbai-film-festival-2024/
- Kneecaphttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kneecap
- Kneecaphttps://www.metacritic.com/movie/kneecap/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/kneecap-review-1235888803/
- PopMattershttps://www.popmatters.com/best-film-of-2024/2
- "The Complete List of 2024 Sundance Film Festival Award Winners"https://festival.sundance.org/blogs/the-complete-list-of-2024-sundance-film-festival-award-winners/
- Screen Dailyhttps://www.screendaily.com/news/sydney-film-festival-reveals-2024-competition-line-up/5193127.article
- "The Winners of the 71st Sydney Film Festival"https://www.sff.org.au/info/blog/the-winners-of-the-71st-sydney-film-festival/
- "'Kneecap' Wins Big at the Galway Film Fleadh"https://www.galwayfilmfleadh.com/kneecap-win-big-at-the-galway-film-fleadh/
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/longlegs-shogun-winners-2024-clio-entertainment-awards-1236060848/
- Screen Dailyhttps://www.screendaily.com/news/kneecap-among-european-university-film-award-2024-nominees/5198427.article
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2024/11/european-film-awards-nominations-37th-2024-1236167495/
- TheWraphttps://www.thewrap.com/astra-film-awards-nominations-wicked/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2024/11/british-independent-film-awards-nominations-2024-kneecap-love-lies-bleeding-1236166291/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2024/film/awards/bifa-awards-2024-kneecap-wins-top-prize-1236242596/
- "2024 San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle (SFBAFCC) Nominations"https://awardswatch.com/2024-san-francisco-bay-area-film-critics-circle-sfbafcc-nominations/
- IndieWirehttps://www.indiewire.com/features/best-of/best-movies-2024-critics-poll-survey-performances-1235076150/
- "DFW Film Critics Name 'Anora' Best Picture of 2024"https://dfwcritics.com/dfw-film-critics-name-anora-best-picture-of-2024/
- The Irish Timeshttps://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/2024/12/19/dublin-film-critics-circle-awards-2024-the-zone-of-interest-and-kneecap-big-winners/
- Screen Dailyhttps://www.screendaily.com/news/kneecap-when-the-light-breaks-and-moon-set-for-2024-les-arcs-film-festival-competition/5198944.article
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2024/12/oscar-hopeful-kneecap-les-arcs-crystal-arrow-1236239433/
- Screen Dailyhttps://www.screendaily.com/news/kneecap-wins-top-prize-at-les-arcs-film-festival/5200375.article
- "2024 Kansas City Film Critics Circle (KCFCC) Nominations"https://awardswatch.com/2024-kansas-city-film-critics-circle-kcfcc-nominations/
- "2024 Austin Film Critics Association (AFCA) Nominations"https://awardswatch.com/2024-austin-film-critics-association-afca-nominations/
- "2024 Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA) Nominations"https://awardswatch.com/2024-georgia-film-critics-association-gafca-nominations/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2024/10/cinema-eye-honors-2024-nominations-list-1236157695/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2024/11/palm-springs-film-fest-lineup-better-man-the-penguin-lessons-35-international-oscar-contenders-1236187874/
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/palm-springs-film-festival-2025-juried-award-winners-1236107074/
- "'The Brutalist' Leads Houston Film Critics Nominations"https://houstonfilmcritics.com/the-brutalist-leads-houston-film-critics-nominations/
- Hot Presshttps://www.hotpress.com/film-tv/kneecap-scores-four-nominations-at-london-critics-circle-film-awards-23064047
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2025/film/awards/london-critics-circle-film-awards-2025-winners-1236294019/
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/feb/02/the-brutalist-wins-best-film-london-critics-circle-awards-nothing-else
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2024/12/critics-choice-awards-2024-film-nominations-1236201448/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2024/12/40th-annual-artios-awards-film-nominees-casting-1236206821/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2025/film/awards/ifta-awards-nominations-2025-kneecap-1236273394/
- Belfast Telegraphhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/kneecap-and-say-nothing-among-big-winners-as-stars-of-tv-and-film-gather-for-ifta-awards/a107049603.html
- The Independenthttps://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/irish-saoirse-ronan-andrew-scott-colin-farrell-blitz-b2698668.html
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kneecap-bafta-film-awards-most-nominated-debut-film-rich-peppiatt-1236109360/
- "'Kneecap' wins first BAFTA but misses out in five categories"https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj48jl05pp5o
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2025/film/awards/bafta-film-awards-2025-winners-list-1236302717/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2025/01/golden-reel-awards-2025-nominations-list-mpse-1236247084/
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/golden-trailer-awards-2025-winners-1236233223/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2025/05/golden-trailer-awards-nominations-2025-list-wicked-deadpool-wolverine-1236390530/