Irish actors well represented at this weekend's Oscars

The success of Irish films at this Sunday night’s Oscars in Hollywood could be a springboard to expand the movie industry in Ireland.

This year marks a record-breaking 14 nominations for Irish stories and talent across the awards, including the history-making nomination for Irish language film ‘An Cailín Ciúin’.

Representatives from Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, Tourism Ireland, the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs will lead a trade mission in Los Angeles to promote the Irish screen industry and Ireland’s cultural power ahead of the Academy Awards this Sunday.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin will meet with world leading US studios and production companies including Sony and Disney, which includes representatives from Marvel, Searchlight and Lucasfilm.

The trade mission – a key part of the Government’s St Patrick’s Day programme – aims to build on the recent critical success for the Irish screen industry and the recognition of Irish talent on the world’s stage.

“The global reputation of the Irish screen industry has continued to grow over the last number of years, with Irish projects achieving incredible critical and commercial success. This trade mission aims to further strengthen relationships with our US partners and build towards future industry growth and success,” Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive, Screen Ireland, said.

“We hope the industry’s success, and record-breaking number of Academy Award nominations, will inspire and pave the way for the next generation of Irish filmmakers to be ambitious in telling the cultural stories that matter to them.” Meanwhile, Aer Lingus has flown the Irish stars and their families to Los Angeles in time for the celebrations on Sunday night.