After a year of unprecedented international recognition, Ireland celebrated its own cinema and television achievements in Dublin on Sunday night (7 May).
The Irish Film and Television Awards (IFTAs) were held in Dublin Royal Convention Centre on Sunday and rounded off an excellent year for Irish cinema and television.
Unsurprisingly, Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin was the most successful film of the night, while the cast and crew of black comedy series Bad Sisters celebrated unparalleled success in the television categories.
In terms of international films, Edward Berger’s adaptation of All Quiet on the Western Front won the Best International Film award, while Cate Blanchett and Austin Butler received awards for their performances in Tár and Elvis, respectively.
Capping off an excellent year for Irish film – The Banshees of Inisherin was the big winner of the night
Somewhat unsurprisingly, The Banshees of Inisherin was the most successful film of the night, picking up three of its 11 nominations. In addition to best picture, Kerry Condon and Brendan Gleeson received awards for their roles in the film.
Elsewhere, Paul Mescal made up for his Oscar disappointment by picking up the Best Actor award for Aftersun. The talented actor pipped the likes of Colin Farrell and Liam Neeson to the award in what was a strong category.
Bríd Ní Neachtain won the Best Actress award for her performance in the Irish-language comedy-drama film Róise & Frank. The film’s writers and directors Rachael Moriarty and Peter Murphy also received nominations for direction and script.
However, both categories went to Frank Berry for Aisha, which stars Letitia Wright as the titular Nigerian caught in Ireland’s immigration system.
An Irish Goodbye added to its Oscar success in the Live Action Short category, while Soft Tissue was named best animated short and Kathryn Ferguson’s documentary about Sinéad O’Connor – Nothing Compares – won Best Feature Documentary.
Tough competition in the television categories – Bad Sisters out on top
Though it perhaps failed to garner the attention that the Irish film industry has received, the past year has also been a great success for Irish television.
Black comedy series Bad Sisters won three awards in the television categories: the show itself won Best Drama, while Dearbhla Walsh won Best Director, and its stars Sharon Horgan and Anne-Marie Duff won acting awards for their performances.
In other categories, Derry Girls writer Lisa McGee won Best Script for the popular show’s extended finale, while Stephen Rea won Best Actor for his role in The English and Ciarán Hinds won Best Actor in a Supporting Role for The Dry.
Severance director Aoife McArdle picked up the Rising Star award against stiff opposition in the form of Kathryn Ferguson, Éanna Hardwicke, Danielle Galligan, and Daryl McCormack.
Masters of their craft – awards for behind-the-scenes work
The night in Dublin also shone a light on the excellent work that goes on behind the scenes that helps make these films and television shows so successful.
Piers McGrail picked up an award for his cinematography work on It Is In Us All, while Jonathan Redmond and Matt Vila were recognised for editing Elvis.
Sarah Lynch’s original music for The Dry also received an award, with Best Sound going to Aza Hand, Alan Scully, and Adrian Conway for their work on The Sparrow.
Finally, The Woman King beat Stranger Things to Best VFX, Tamara Conboy’s production design for Aisha was recognised, and Consolata Boyle won Best Costume Design for Enola Holmes 2.
