Belfast receives 7 Academy Award® Noms and Kenneth Branagh Makes History

This morning, The High Note’s Tracee Ellis Ross and Leslie Jordan announced nominations for the 94th Academy Awards®. Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast was among the top picks with 7 Academy Award® nominations. Branagh’s poetic and personal recollection of a young boy, Buddy (Jude Hill), growing up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles was singled out for its creativity, direction, acting. The Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 27 and will be aired on ABC (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT). 

Watch Belfast now!    

Belfast's seven nominations

Branagh’s emotional tale of a family finding strength and joy in each other was nominated for Best Picture (Laura Berwick, Kenneth Branagh, Becca Kovacik and Tamar Thomas, producers). Branagh was also nominated for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. "It’s a long way from the streets of Belfast to the Academy Awards®," expressed Branagh on learning of his nominations. He added, "Today, I think of my mother and father, and my grandparents—how proud they were to be Irish, how much this city meant to them. They would have been overwhelmed by this incredible honor—as am I. Given a story as personal as this one, it’s a hell of a day for my family, and the family of our film. I thank Academy voters for their incredible and generous recognition. We are honored to be among the other extraordinary nominees in a remarkable year for films, and I salute the superb cast and crew of Belfast for their exceptional talent, comradeship and kindness."

The always wonderful Judi Dench was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Buddy’s grandmother Granny and Ciarán Hinds, who played Buddy’s grandfather Pop, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor. "Having worked in this industry for nearly 50 years, I thought there wasn’t much that could surprise me still," Hinds exclaimed. "Today, I can honestly say, I am astounded, thrilled and deeply grateful”legendary Van Morrison’s song “Down To Joy” was nominated for Best Original Song. And finally, Denise Yarde, Simon Chase, James Mather and Niv Adiri, nominated for Best Sound, collectively responded, "The Belfast sound team are absolutely over the moon with this Oscar® nomination. We’re so grateful to those who voted for us, and we're so grateful to Ken for bringing us on this personal journey. We can’t wait to represent this incredible and beautiful movie at the Academy Awards alongside Judi, Ciarán, Ken, and the rest of the team.”

Kenneth Branagh makes history

Kenneth Branagh’s personal film also made history for its creator. Having received nominations for producer (Best Picture), original screenwriter, and director, Branagh unseats George Clooney as having been nominated in the most about of categories. With the three he received today, and four he previous received—Best Adapted Screenplay (Hamlet), Best Actor (Henry V), Best Supporting Actor (My Week with Marilyn), Live-Action Short Film (Swan Song), Branagh makes history by having been nominated in seven different categories.