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Irish Post
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Kneecap claim top prize at prestigious annual film festival
KNEECAP have claimed the top prize at the annual Celtic Media Festival. The rap trio were announced as the Spirit of the Festival winners at the event held in Cornwall this month. Written, produced and directed by Rich Peppiatt, the film is a semi-autobiographical offering, which follows the west-Belfast based group on their mission to save the Irish language. The film stars the band's Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí in their acting debuts alongside Academy Award nominated Michael Fassbender, Simone Kirby and Josie Walker. Earlier this year, Director Rich Peppiatt received an IFTA and a BAFTA for the film. Their latest award was announced over the weekend, during the three-day event in Newquay. 'These awards follow a year and a half of incredible success for Kneecap, the movie since the premiere and Audience Award at Sundance in January 2024,' said Proinsias Ní Ghráinne, Commissioning Editor for the Irish language station TG4, who are the broadcast partner for the film. 'Kneecap has brought the Irish language to the most important stages of the world as a powerful creative channel that speaks to indigenous cultures, music lovers and anyone who appreciates good storytelling,' she added. 'TG4's commitment to support this wave of excellence in both scripted and non-scripted content is unwavering. 'It is particularly rewarding to see our content stand up to competition from the best of the best from the Celtic Nations. Comhghairdeas Kneecap.' The award comes in the same month that Kneecap member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs as Mo Chara, is due to appear before a court in London charged with a terror offence. In May the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command charged the band member over a Palestinian flag displayed at a show at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London on November 21, 2024. The force said that the 27-year-old displayed the flag "in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation, namely Hezbollah". He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court next Wednesday, June 18. See More: Celtic Media Festival, Kneecap
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Kneecap and 80s legend Paul Weller share a cuppa in Dublin
The 'modfather' was pictured with two of the three band members at Phibsborough's Bang Bang Cafe on Thursday night. Móglaí Bap, DJ Próvaí and the band's manager Daniel Lambert were reportedly celebrating with Paul after their Irish language film nabbed the top prize at the Celtic Media Awards. Set in west Belfast, the film tells the story of how Mo Chara, DJ Próvaí and Móglaí Bap came together to 'change the sound of Irish music forever". The self-titled movie was awarded the Spirit of the Festival at the celebration of media throughout the Celtic nations and regions. Weller was one of 40 acts who signed an open letter opposing what they claim were efforts to censor the trio due to their political statements during performances. Sharing the snap to Instagram, Bang Bang cafe received numerous messages of support for the musicians, with one writing: 'As if we don't already love Weller enough'. 'Not one bit jealous! Paul Weller is just the greatest!,' added another. Rapper Mo Chara whose real name is Liam Óg ÓhAnnaidh, was handed a terrorism charge by UK police late last month. It follows allegations that a Hezbollah flag was displayed at one of the band's concerts at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, last November. The 27-year-old is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on June 18. ADVERTISEMENT In a statement posted on social media, Kneecap said: 'We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves.' Counter-terrorism police previously also investigated Kneecap after videos emerged allegedly showing the band calling for the deaths of MPs and shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. The group apologised to the families of murdered MPs but said footage of the incident had been 'exploited and weaponised', and also said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. In response to the charge, the group said in a social media statement: '14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us. 'We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves, this is political policing, this is a carnival of distraction. 'We are not the story, genocide is, as they profit from genocide, they use an 'anti-terror law' against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage. A charge not serious enough to even warrant their crown court, instead a court that doesn't have a jury. What's the objective? 'To restrict our ability to travel. To prevent us speaking to young people across the world. To silence voices of compassion. To prosecute artists who dare speak out. 'Instead of defending innocent people, or the principles of international law they claim to uphold, the powerful in Britain have abetted slaughter and famine in Gaza, just as they did in Ireland for centuries. Then, like now, they claim justification. 'The IDF units they arm and fly spy plane missions for are the real terrorists, the whole world can see it.' The controversy has not stopped their rising popularity and they are set to play one of the biggest dates in their career to 12,500 fans at London's Wembley Arena next September 18. Kneecap were cancelled from the TRNSMT concert line-up in Glasgow, which they were due to play in July, due to safety concerns from UK police according to the festival. However, Glastonbury has confirmed band will not be cancelled from the festival and have put the group on a larger slot on the Saturday afternoon at West Holts Stage.
Sunday World
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Kneecap and 80s legend Paul Weller share a cuppa in Dublin
The 'modfather' was pictured with two of the three band members at Phibsborough's Bang Bang Cafe on Thursday night Kneecap took time out to enjoy a cup of tea with 80s legend Paul Weller in Dublin this week. The 'modfather' was pictured with two of the three band members at Phibsborough's Bang Bang Cafe on Thursday night. Móglaí Bap, DJ Próvaí and the band's manager Daniel Lambert were reportedly celebrating with Paul after their Irish language film nabbed the top prize at the Celtic Media Awards. Set in west Belfast, the film tells the story of how Mo Chara, DJ Provaí and Moglai Bap came together to 'change the sound of Irish music forever". The self-titled movie was awarded the Spirit of the Festival at the celebration of media throughout the Celtic nations and regions. Weller was one of 40 acts who signed an open letter opposing what they claim were efforts to censor the trio due to their political statements during performances. Kneecap and Paul Weller in Dublin News in 90 Seconds - 7th June Sharing the snap to Instagram, Bang Bang cafe received numerous messages of support for the musicians, with one writing: 'As if we don't already love Weller enough'. 'Not one bit jealous! Paul Weller is just the greatest!,' added another. Rapper Mo Chara whose real name is Liam Óg ÓhAnnaidh, was handed a terrorism charge late last month. It follows allegations that a Hezbollah flag was displayed at one of the band's concerts at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, last November. The 27-year-old is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on June 18. In a statement posted on social media, Kneecap said: 'We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves.' Counter-terrorism police previously also investigated Kneecap after videos emerged allegedly showing the band calling for the deaths of MPs and shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. The group apologised to the families of murdered MPs but said footage of the incident had been 'exploited and weaponised', and also said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. In response to the charge, the group said in a social media statement: '14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us. 'We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves, this is political policing, this is a carnival of distraction. 'We are not the story, genocide is, as they profit from genocide, they use an 'anti-terror law' against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage. A charge not serious enough to even warrant their crown court, instead a court that doesn't have a jury. What's the objective? 'To restrict our ability to travel. To prevent us speaking to young people across the world. To silence voices of compassion. To prosecute artists who dare speak out. 'Instead of defending innocent people, or the principles of international law they claim to uphold, the powerful in Britain have abetted slaughter and famine in Gaza, just as they did in Ireland for centuries. Then, like now, they claim justification. 'The IDF units they arm and fly spy plane missions for are the real terrorists, the whole world can see it.' The controversy has not stopped their rising popularity and they are set to play one of the biggest dates in their career to 12,500 fans at London's Wembley Arena next September 18. Kneecap were cancelled from the TRNSMT concert line-up in Glasgow, which they were due to play in July, due to safety concerns from UK police according to the festival. However, Glastonbury has confirmed band will not be cancelled from the festival and have put the group on a larger slot on the Saturday afternoon at West Holts Stage.
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kneecap scoops Spirit of the Festival honour at the Celtic Media Awards
Kneecap have won the top prize at this year's Celtic Media Awards. The Belfast rappers were awarded the Spirit of the Festival for their film in Cornwall. The Spirit of the Festival is a three-day celebration of film, television, radio and digital media, which promotes languages and cultures of the Celtic nations and regions. Directed by Rich Peppiatt, Kneecap is set in west Belfast in 2019 and tells the story of how the group, consisting of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí, formed and went on to "change the sound of Irish music forever". It also stars Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender, Simone Kirby, Jessica Reynolds and Fionnuala Flaherty. TG4 is the broadcast partner for Kneecap, and the channel's Commissioning Editor, Proinsias Ní Ghráinne, said that this honour follows "a year and a half of incredible success for Kneecap" since the film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2024, where it won the coveted Audience Award. "Kneecap has brought the Irish language to the most important stages of the world as a powerful creative channel that speaks to indigenous cultures, music lovers and anyone who appreciates good storytelling," Ní Ghráinne said. "TG4's commitment to support this wave of excellence in both scripted and non-scripted content is unwavering. It is particularly rewarding to see our content stand up to competition from the best of the best from the Celtic Nations. Comhghairdeas Kneecap." It comes after Kneecap member Liam Og O hAnnaidh who performs as Mo Chara, was charged by Metropolitan Police with a terror offence after he allegedly displayed a Hezbollah flag at a gig last November.
Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Kneecap film wins top prize at Celtic Media Awards
The self-titled movie was awarded the Spirit of the Festival at the long-established Cornwall-based celebration of media throughout the Celtic identifying regions.
