New drama ‘God’s Creatures’ starring Paul Mescal and Emily Watson, which was filmed in Donegal, is to be released in Irish cinemas this March.

The critically acclaimed film was shot in locations including Teelin, Killybegs and Kilcar in Spring 2021, with assistance from the Donegal Film Office.

Independent Irish distributor Volta Pictures have acquired God’s Creatures for local release on March 24 and BFI Distribution will release the film to U.K. cinemas on March 31.

Directed by Saela Davis and Anna Rose Holmer, the film is set in a windswept fishing village on the coast of Ireland, where a mother is torn between protecting her beloved son and her own sense of right and wrong. A lie she tells for him rips apart their family and close-knit community.

Watch the trailer here:

God’s Creatures, which premiered at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival Directors’ Fortnight, stars Emily Watson (Breaking the Waves, Hilary and Jackie), Paul Mescal (Normal People, Aftersun) and Aisling Franciosi (The Fall).

The producer, with her company Nine Daughters, is the multi-award-winning Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly (Lady Macbeth, Ammonite). Shane Crowley wrote the screenplay based on a story he co-wrote with Cronin O’Reilly.

Producer, Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly, told Screen Ireland: “We couldn’t hope for more brilliant, supportive partners than the BFI and Volta Pictures. Our film has found its home with them. It has been a joy to tell this story with Emily, Paul, Aisling, and the wider cast, all of whom give performances that are both intimate and iconic. We’re so excited to share God’s Creatures with British and Irish cinema audiences very soon.”

The film picked up five BIFA 2022 nominations: Emily Watson for Lead Performance; Paul Mescal and Aisling Franciosi for Best Supporting Performance; Shane Crowley for Best Debut Screenwriter and Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans for Best Original Music.

God’s Creatures is supported by A24, BBC Films, Screen Ireland, and the Western Region Audiovisual Producers Fund (WRAP Fund).