Audiovisual Ireland congratulates Jessie Buckley on historic leading actress Oscar win
- Several other Irish wins show strength and skill of indigenous creative industry.
Actress Jessie Buckley’s historic win as the first Irish woman to receive an Academy Award as Leading Actress, for her performance in Hamnet, has been warmly welcomed by Audiovisual Ireland, the Ibec representative body for the screen industry.
The Killarney native’s highly anticipated Oscar win highlights the breadth of talent within Ireland, which must continue to be supported and promoted by funding - and successful initiatives like the Section 481 tax credit, according to the body.
Audiovisual Ireland director Nicola Cooke said that the industry’s contribution to the economy is valued at over €1bn* and that in 2025 alone, the total production spend generated by the Irish screen industry reached over €544 million, a 26% increase from the previous year:
“This is a sector that supports almost 16,000 jobs across the country, and digital production – including animation and VFX (visual effects) - are driving innovation and further growth within the industry.
“As a collective, we are truly delighted to see a lead Irish actress win the most esteemed acting accolade in the world for the first time – in addition to wonderful wins for (Coleraine’s Maggie O’Farrell for best screenplay, the highly talented Richard Baneham for special effects and X).
“The four Oscar nominations for Bugonia – which Element Pictures were involved in producing – along with those for Blue Moon, produced by Wild Atlantic Pictures, and film-maker John Kelly’s Retirement Plan – really does showcase the skills and top talent of our members and the wider industry.”
“Given the prominence and reach of the screen productions - along with the sector’s contribution to regional employment – this highlights the industry as a key part or our national cultural identity as storytellers, and truly profiles Ireland as a destination for tourism.”
*Fís Ireland/Screen Ireland Research Report January 2025
