Even before its release, Colm Bairéad’s debut feature has, quite rightly, become one of the most lauded and garlanded Irish films of recent years. Adapted from Foster, a short story by Claire Keegan, it centres on nine-year-old Cáit, a shy and withdrawn child who receives scant attention or affection from a family ruled by an uncaring patriarch. When she is sent to spend the summer with her aunt Eibhlín (Carrie Crowley) and her husband Seán (Andrew Bennett), she comes out of her shell, blossoming in their care, especially when Seán’s initial aloofness fades. At the end of the summer, difficult decisions and realities must be faced.

This is a work of small moments and details, anchored by Catherine Clinch’s remarkable performance as the titular quiet girl, that make for a film of pure artistry, as uplifting as it is heartbreaking.

Notes by Kevin Coyne

Commissioned as part of the Cine4 scheme, funded by TG4, Screen Ireland, and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

Awards:

• Audience Award, Irish Film Festival London, 2022
• Súil Eile Award, Irish Film Festival London, 2022
• Audience Award, Official Section, Seminci, Valladolid International Film Festival 2022
• FIPRESCI Prize, Best Film, Seminci, Valladolid International Film Festival 2022
• Silver Spike, Best Film, Seminci, Valladolid International Film Festival 2022
• Grand Prix of the Generation Kplus International Jury, Best Feature Film, Berlin International Film Festival 2022
• Special Mention, Children’s Jury – Film, Berlin International Film Festival 2022
• People’s Choice Award, Narrative Feature, Denver International Film Festival 2022
  Audience Award, Dublin International Film Festival 2022
• Discovery Award, Director, Dublin International Film Festival 2022
• European Film Award, European Cinematography, Kate McCullough, European Film Awards 2022
• Best Film, IFTA, Irish Film and Television Awards 2022
• Best Director – Film, Colm Bairéad, IFTA, Irish Film and Television Awards 2022
• Best Actress in a Lead Role – Film, Catherine Clinch, IFTA, Irish Film and Television Awards 2022
• Best Editing, John Murphy, IFTA, Irish Film and Television Awards 2022
• Best Cinematography, Kate McCullough, IFTA, Irish Film and Television Awards 2022
• Best Original Score, Stephen Rennicks, IFTA, Irish Film and Television Awards 2022
• Best Production Design, Emma Lowney, IFTA, Irish Film and Television Awards 2022
• Audience Award, World Cinema, Montclair Film Festival (MFF) 2022
• Audience Award, International New Talent Competition, Taipei Film Festival 2022