Northern Ireland makes its mark in the Oscar nominations

Northern Irish writer/director Terry George has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for his feature 'Hotel Rwanda'.
Recently nominated for original screenplay in the 57th Annual Writers Guild, the film, which is based on a true story, depicts the heroic actions of Paul Rusesabagina, who risked his life to save over a thousand Tutsis and Hutus marked for death during the Rwandan massacre.
The other films short listed in the category are 'The Aviator', 'Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind', 'The Incredibles' and 'Vera Drake'.
Northern Irish director Gary McKendry has also picked up a Best Live Action Short nomination for his film 'Everything In This Country Must'. His film is one of six nominated in the category.
The short film, which is based upon the novel by Colum McCann, follows a young British soldier in Northern Ireland who is involved in an accident that kills a mother and her child and finds himself confronted by the consequences of his actions. Later, the same soldier helps a farmer and his daughter save their drowning horse. Gary McKendry, a well known international commercials director from Ballyclare in Co. Antrim, is currently based in New York. Most of the lead characters were played by local actors, including Gerry Doherty, who recently starred in 'Pulling Moves' on BBC Northern Ireland.
The film's line-producer Mike McGeagh, producer of the NIFTC-funded 'Mickybo & Me', soon to go on release in the UK, said: "I'm delighted to hear that Gary has been nominated for the film, particularly as it was such a personal project for him. Everybody worked extremely hard on the production and it's nice to see that effort get this sort of acknowledgement."
Colin Anderson, Chairman of the NIFTC, who provided locations services on the short film which was shot entirely on location in Northern Ireland in 2002, added: "I'm delighted to see Northern Irish talent showcased in the Oscar nominations. The nomination of Everything In This Country Must illustrates that the local film cast and crew talent is truly world class. This sort of accolade sends the clear message to international film producers that they can come to Northern Ireland in the knowledge that the workforce here is well capable of doing the job."
Richard Williams, the NIFTC's Chief Executive, added: "It is fantastic to see talent from here featuring so strongly in the Oscar nominations. Terry George's Hotel Rwanda strongly deserves its nominations and will I'm sure go on to secure at least one Oscar. I'm delighted to see that Gary McKendry's Everything In This Country Must has also been nominated in the short film category. While Gary has long since left Northern Ireland for New York, this film was entirely shot here using a large number of local crew and cast. It is a real tribute to the talent of our local crew and cast that their work has been Oscar nominated."
The Awards will take place in LA's Kodak Theatre on February 27 2005.
(GB)