Inside the 2026 Oscar Wilde Awards

“You’ve heard of The British Invasion in music,” emcee Matt Walsh says as he kicks off the event. “Now I think it’s clear we’ve got something of an Irish invasion going on in film and television.”

On Thursday, March 12, a celebration of all things Irish talent took place at the Ebell of Los Angeles in the form of the Oscar Wilde Awards. Stepping into its 20th year of honouring Ireland’s brightest stars and bringing together the creative energy of American and Irish artists, the event focuses on Irish arts and culture, and recognises achievements in Irish film, theater, and other creative pursuits.

This year’s honourees were Domhnall Gleeson, Maura Tierney, and Lee Cronin, and guests in attendance included Academy Awards 2026 nominees, industry executives, musicians, and stars of film and television.

Former honouree J.J. Abrams, Monica Horan Rosenthal, and Jason Blum were on hand to present awards to the honourees. Comedian Matt Walsh emceed, and there were brilliant live performances from Dermot Kennedy and Dave Lofts. In essence, the event was a big old Irish house party in a week filled with formality — likely a welcome relief to many nominees caught in the headwind of Oscars week.

Some other highlights, you may ask? Well, there was a machine printing photos onto the creamy dome of pints of Guinness, baskets of Tayto scattered about, and crucially, a mashed potato station. And, of course, an open bar. I know we Irish hate to play into stereotypes, but damn that was a good taste of home.

It was a surreal experience, being in a room with faces I’ve grown up admiring, speaking to Oscar nominees on the green carpet, and spotting Jack Reynor escorting three pints of Guinness across the room with ease. Icon, legend and the moment Samantha Mumba tells IMAGE: “I’ve been living in LA for 22 years, so I sometimes feel out of the loop of Irish events, so this is a real treat for me. It’s like being home again!”

Speaking to IMAGE on the green carpet, honouree Domhnall Gleeson tells us how it feels to be joining the ranks of the big names previously honoured by the US-Ireland Alliance, which happens to include his dad, Brendan. “It’s a lovely thing to be asked to come and do this. So many actors and filmmakers have been a part of this over the years, so joining that club feels lovely.”

Domhnall provides the narration for John Kelly’s Retirement Plan, the existential short nominated for Best Animated Short at Sunday’s 98th Academy Awards. Of the way in which the project has resonated globally, he tells us: “I’m very proud to be a part of it. John made a beautiful film and I’m delighted for him that it’s being celebrated in the way that it has been.”

On words of wisdom for those hoping to one day be standing in his shoes, receiving an honour of this merit, the advice comes easily: “Write your speech with lots of time to spare! Don’t get panicked in the last couple of days like I did.”

Largely written in the spare bedroom of his Dolphin’s Barn home, Oscar nominee John Kelly stopped to chat with us about the success of his short, Retirement Plan. “It feels very surreal. I’m still figuring out exactly what it means and taking it one day, one gigantic LA lunch at a time. We’ve met some amazing people, we’ve met some heroes.” Andrew Freedman, the producer of the film, says: “The lead up to the Oscars has honestly been a highlight of my career. The access to industry people who you dream to one day meet is incredible!”

Retirement Plan is all about that uneasy realisation that our time on earth is finite, our resources are limited, and we may not be able to achieve the lengthy to-do lists we set ourselves daily. It’s a personal, individual experience that has clearly resonated with many, including those at the Academy. I wonder if its success has sent John into even more of a headspin.

“Basically I kind of threw my worst fears at the world, and it sort of responded. The film has come to mean a lot to people as it turns out, which is a real joy. We made something that we found funny, that made us feel something, and to see that resonate as far as Los Angeles is a real treat.”

From one nominee to the next, Tallaght native Richard Baneham—who could be picking up his third Oscar on Sunday night for Best Visual Effects for his work on Avatar: Fire and Ash—speaks on the potential win: “The third one is just as valuable as the first, and it really is about the appreciation of your peers and the appreciation of the audience. Trophies are lovely, but honestly, the acceptance and appreciation from the audience is the thing that makes you a winner.”

On the abundance of Irish talent being celebrated at the event, Baneham says: “It’s proof of the strength of Irish culture, and the strength of Irish storytellers. That’s what’s ringing true, and it’s lovely to see.”

Jessie Buckley was a name on everyone’s lips at the event as the Kerry woman is poised to make history as the first Irish woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role on Sunday. In addition to Richie Baneham and the Retirement Plan crew, Irish nominees also include Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe of Element Pictures are nominated in the Best
Picture category as producers of Bugonia. While out in LA, we got the chance to sit down with Andrew, so watch this space for the full interview.

Photography by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for the US-Ireland Alliance.