Five Irish films will have their world premieres at this year's Cannes Film Festival, with two Screen Ireland-supported projects selected for Official Competition and Un Certain Regard.

Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland said on Thursday that it is "delighted" to welcome the news that five Irish films will receive their World Premiere at the Cannes Film Festival this year and extended its sincere congratulations to the creative teams and Irish producers behind each of the films.

Two of the films have been supported by Screen Ireland - Ali Abassi’s "The Apprentice," which has been selected for Official Competition, and Ariane Labed’s "September Says," selected for Un Certain Regard.

Our sincere congratulations to the creative teams behind the 5 Irish films announced today for @Festival_Cannes. ??

Selected for Official Competition is The Apprentice and for Un Certain Regard, September Says: both proudly supported by Screen Ireland.https://t.co/ol3uQQiy4U

— Screen Ireland (@ScreenIreland) April 11, 2024

Meanwhile, Irish director Lorcan Finnegan’s" The Surfer" - starring Nicolas Cage- will receive its World Premiere in the Midnight Screenings strand.

Dublin-based Element Pictures’ "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl" will screen in Un Certain Regard, and Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest film "Kinds of Kindness" - starring Emma Stone - is in Official Competition.

“We're thrilled & honoured that an unprecedented three films from @ElementPictures are included in the Official Selection @Festival_Cannes. This is a significant achievement for Element & for our exceptionally talented directors, writers, actors & crews" @EdGuiney & @andrewmlowe pic.twitter.com/ZBI3NwLctd

— Element Pictures (@ElementPictures) April 11, 2024

Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, said on Thursday: “Screen Ireland is delighted that there is such a strong presence for Irish film and creative artists at the Cannes Film Festival this year.

"It is a remarkable achievement, and our sincere congratulations go to the creative teams behind of all of these films.

"Following on from major festival success earlier this year at Sundance and the Berlinale, it marks yet another step in Irish film’s remarkable journey and its global impact around the world.”

Screen Ireland further noted that Irish talent in front of and behind the camera is also represented across the Cannes Film Festival this year, with the selection of Andrea Arnold’s "Bird" in Official Competition, starring Barry Keoghan and with Academy Award-nominated cinematographer Robbie Ryan.

The Cannes Film Festival is one of the world’s most prestigious and competitive international film festivals and is an invaluable platform for filmmakers and artists to launch their films to the international market.

Irish films that have screened at the Cannes Film Festival across its programmes in the past include Palme d’Or winner "The Wind That Shakes The Barley" (2006), as well as recent Irish films "God’s Creatures" (2022) and "Vivarium" (2019).

The 77th annual Cannes Film Festival runs from May 14 - 25.