Baftas 2025: ‘Kneecap’ wins Outstanding British Debut award
Rich Peppiatt’s Kneecap has won the Bafta for ‘Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer’ award.
The film is a fictionalised biopic of the Northern Irish rap duo Kneecap, in which the musicians Liam Ó Hannaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, and JJ Ó Dochartaigh portray themselves and their origin story as they become the first prominent Irish-language hip-hop group.
In his acceptance speech, Peppiatt said, “I’m absolutely honoured to be standing here. 15 years ago, I met my wife, and a decade later, she convinced me to move to Belfast. Within two weeks of moving to Belfast, I met Kneecap, and now I’m standing here.”
The director continued, “It’s crazy how life works like that. It’s more than a film, it’s a movement. It’s about how everyone should have their language respected, their homeland respected and their culture respected. This award is dedicated to everyone out there fighting that fight.”
The movie has been a landmark moment for the group as they spearheaded a cultural kickback from their fans. An Irish band to their core, there had been some ire at being a part of the awards ceremony. However, things have gone swimmingly so far.
Kneecap is nominated for a total of six Baftas this year, including ‘Best Original Screenplay’ and ‘Best British Film.’ Peppiatt’s award will likely come as a consolation after the film was overlooked at the Oscars.
The band did not take well to the snub and replied with a simple message: “Fuck the Oscars”.
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