Kneecap director Rich Peppiatt says working on film was a privilege

The Bafta-winning writer and director of the film Kneecap has said it was a huge privilege to be part of the project.

On Sunday, Rich Peppiatt picked up the Bafta for Outstanding Debut for his work on the 2024 Irish-language film about the west Belfast rap band.

Peppiatt said after a year of travelling to film festivals and award ceremonies “it was a lovely way to round it all off with the big one, the Bafta”.

There was also success for Nick Emerson from Lisburn, who won in the Editing category for his work on Conclave, which was one of the night’s big winners.

Rap group Kneecap was formed in 2017 by three friends who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí.

The idea for a film was first conceived in 2019 when Peppiatt watched the group perform in Belfast.

He told BBC News NI: “I met Kneecap a couple of weeks after moving to Belfast.

“So, you know, being able to contribute to telling the story of a community I hold very dear – west Belfast – where my in-laws are all from is very special.

“And to promote the Irish language and Irish culture and the Irish film industry, something that’s welcomed me with open arms and I just think is world-beating in its standard and its potential, it’s been a huge privilege.”

Despite the excitement of receiving the award surrounded by “A-listers”, Peppiatt predicted things would quickly get back to normality.

“The circus moves on, this is showbusiness,” he said. “It’s all very glitzy, it’s all very glamorous.

“But next week I’ll be back on the Lisburn Road having a cup of coffee and everything will be back to normal and we’ll think about what we do next.”