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Northern Ireland's fledgling film industry is this week celebrating after the Oscar success of "The Shore."
Belfast-born director Terry George shot the film at his family's cottage at Coney Island near Ardglass in County Down.
The film, which won an Oscar in the live action short category at Sunday's gala ceremony, stars Irish actors Ciarán Hinds, Maggie Cronin and Conleth Hill.
Terry George had twice previously been nominated for his screenplays for "Hotel Rwanda" and "In the Name of the Father."
"Our little film was inspired by the people of Northern Ireland, Protestant and Catholic, who after 30 years of war, sat down, negotiated a peace and proved to the world that the Irish are great talkers," George said after accepting the Oscar.
"I want to dedicate this to them. This is about reconciliation in Northern Ireland, it is really close to my heart."
George also praised his daughter, Oorlagh, who had raised money for the film and acted as its producer.
"I'd like to thank the Academy because now I don't have to wait for her wedding to tell the world how brilliant she is," he said.
Oorlagh, on stage with her father, dedicated the Oscar win to her mother, Rita, who was sitting in the audience.
A delighted Maggie Cronin said she was thrilled to learn of the film's success.
"We were leaping about the place. It ticks all the right boxes, it looks beautiful and I think it is a film we can all be proud of.
It was a very good shoot to be involved with carried by some lovely performances," she said.
The North's Culture Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín, said the award was a "fantastic achievement" by the Northern Ireland film industry.
"It is wonderful that local talent and hard work is being recognized on the global stage," shesaid.
Richard Williams, chief executive of Northern Ireland Screen, said an Oscar triumph represented "the best possible international industry endorsement for film talent worldwide."
"Terry and Oorlagh George have done us proud," he said.
"With their help, the profile of both the film industry in Northern Ireland and indeed the beauty of our place have received a major boost.
"Hundreds of thousands of short films are produced every year around the world and for Northern Ireland to win one really underlines the world class talent we have working in the industry here."
Danny Moore, of Lough Shore Investments, which helped to fund the film, was also celebrating.
"When Terry first conveyed the powerful vision of Northern Ireland he wanted to communicate to the world, we had no hesitation in getting involved," he said.
"For us, 'The Shore' afforded a very unique means through which we could showcase Northern Ireland abroad, both as a place to do business, film or otherwise, and as a rapidly expanding tourist destination."
