Ruth McCabe

No one expects much from Christy Brown, a boy with cerebral palsy born into a working-class Irish family. Though Christy is a spastic quadriplegic and essentially paralyzed, a miraculous event occurs when, at the age of 5, he demonstrates control of his left foot by using chalk to scrawl a word on the floor. With the help of his steely mother — and no shortage of grit and determination — Christy overcomes his infirmity to become a painter, poet and author.

Dir. Jim Sheridan · With Daniel Day-Lewis, Brenda Fricker, Alison Whelan

A woman searches for her adult son, who was taken away from her decades ago when she was forced to live in a convent.

Dir. Stephen Frears · With Judi Dench, Steve Coogan, Sophie Kennedy Clark

Michael is a 24-year-old who has cerebral palsy and long-term resident of the Carrigmore Residential Home for the Disabled, run by the formidable Eileen. His life is transformed when the maverick Rory O'Shea moves in.

Dir. Damien O'Donnell · With James McAvoy, Romola Garai, Steven Robertson

In the 1970s, a young transgender woman called “Kitten” leaves her small Irish town for London in search of love, acceptance, and her long-lost mother.

Dir. Neil Jordan · With Cillian Murphy, Stephen Rea, Brendan Gleeson

"Bull" McCabe's family has farmed a field for generations, sacrificing much in the name of the land. When the widow who owns the field decides to sell it in a public auction, McCabe knows that he must own it. While no local dare bid against him, a wealthy American decides he requires the field to build a highway. "Bull" and his son decide they must try to convince the American to let go of his ambition and return home, but the consequences of their plot prove sinister.

Dir. Jim Sheridan · With Richard Harris, John Hurt, Sean Bean

The story of music legend Terri Hooley, a key figure in Belfast's punk rock scene. Hooley founded the Good Vibrations store from which a record label sprung, representing bands such as The Undertones, Rudi and The Outcasts.

Dir. Lisa Barros D'Sa, Glenn Leyburn · With Richard Dormer, Jodie Whittaker, Karl Johnson

The parents of a girl who was killed by a savage dog are granted the opportunity to spend three days with their deceased daughter.

Dir. David Keating · With Aidan Gillen, Eva Birthistle, Timothy Spall