There was huge celebrations last night for Benjamin Cleary and his family, as he won his first Oscar.
The Dublin writer and director beat off stiff competition to win Best Short Film.
The Rathmines native, who funded most of the project himself, had cleaned up at a number of film festivals for the flick that follows a man who suffers from a crippling stutter.
Accepting his Academy Award, the 32-year-old thanked the cast and crew for taking a chance with a first-time director and couldn’t contain how proud he was as an Irishman receiving the honour.
Oscar winner: Benjamin Cleary couldn’t contain his pride when he won his first Oscar
“You know when you make your first film you’ve got to convince a lot of people to jump on board and take a risk with a first time director so to every single member of the cast and crew of Stutterer for jumping on board and taking a risk with me I’m forever grateful,” he said.
“To the academy for this award, it’s such a huge honour, thank you so much. To my amazing parents for all the support, thank you.
“Chloe Pirrie you’re amazing wherever you are up there, to the wonderful Matthew Needham, you are this film brother,” he added.
“Every day is a proud day to be Irish but today more so than usual so everyone for all the support back home thank you so much.”
Goss at The Oscars with Lauryn Rose Jewellery www.laurynrose.com.
