IFTA announce Gala as the Headline Sponsor for the annual Television Awards

Television presenters join IFTA CEO Áine Moriarty at the IFTA Gala Television Awards launch. From left to right is Martin King (TV3), Alison Comyn (UTV Ireland), Áine Moriarty (IFTA CEO), Miriam O Callaghan (RTÉ) and Tristan Rosenstock (TG4). The IFTA Gala Television Awards will take place on October 22nd at the Double Tree Hotel in Dublin.

IFTA, the Irish Film & Television Academy, has confirmed that GALA, the Irish retail convenience gro9p with 200 stores countrywide, is the new 3-year Headline Sponsor of the annual 'IFTA Gala Television Awards’.

The IFTA Gala Television Awards ceremony will take place on October 22^nd at the Double Tree Hotel in Dublin and will celebrate and recognise the very best of Irish creative talent and Irish home-grown TV programming within 23 categories from entertainment, soap & comedy to factual, current affairs and news across all of the Irish broadcasters RTÉ One, RTÉ Two, TV3, 3e, TG4, Sky, UTV and BBC Northern Ireland. The Awards will be broadcast on TV3 on Sunday 25^th October.

Earlier this year the Academy split the larger annual Awards into two separate events similar to other countries, and in keeping with best international practice. The separation into two distinct ceremonies has proved very successful and reflects Ireland’s rapidly growing and vibrant film & television industry that is delivering high quality formats and programming on par with the best in the world with submissions increasing by 25% this year alone.

Aine Moriarty, CEO of Irish Film & Television Academy says:“The Academy is delighted to announce Gala as the Headline Sponsor for the Television Awards for the next three years. Gala is a great Irish brand that is all about community, Irish innovation and quality, which are all qualities that reflect the great achievements of this vibrant and growing Irish industry and Irish creative talent and we welcome Gala’s support for the work of the Academy”.

Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala Retail says: “As an Irish brand that always strives for excellence within our stores, Gala is thrilled to become the first-ever headline sponsor for the IFTA Gala Television Awards. Irish programme-makers and Irish creative talent are truly raising the bar in delivering high quality TV programmes to Irish audiences that are compelling, engaging and entertaining. Gala is proud to support the Academy in showcasing and highlighting these achievements and rewarding excellence in Ireland, and through the Gala People’s Choice Award we will be offering our shoppers and public the chance to vote for their favourite TV programme”

Lynda McQuaid, TV3 Group Director of Content, says: “Following on from the IFTA Awards Special that was broadcast on TV3 earlier this year, we look forward very much to hosting the IFTA Gala Television Awards this October and celebrating the best in Irish TV talent.”

For the past twelve years since 2003, the Irish Film & Television Academy has showcased the very best of Irish creative talent to the world at large, building a national pride and international awareness of Ireland’s small but very talented and growing industry, with the home audience building to a record viewership of 1.24 million peak viewers in 2013.

Over the coming weeks the Academy will announce further details including the 2015 IFTA Television Lifetime Achievement Award recipient; the IFTA Gala People’s Choice Award categories; and the Awards Ceremony Host and Guest Presenters.

The IFTA Gala Television Awards will present the following categories:

• Lifetime Television Award
• People’s Choice – Gala TV Show of the Year
• Comedy (Scripted & Sketch)
• Current Affairs
• Documentary Series
• Documentary Single
• Entertainment
• Factual
• Live Event
• News
• Reality & Constructed Factual
• Soap & Continuing Drama NEW
• Specialist Factual
• Sports
• Animation – Children’s & Young People’s
• Children’s – Live Action
• Young People’s – Live Action
• Irish Language
• Female Performance (in a Soap or Comedy)
• Male Performance (in a Soap or Comedy)
• Director – Soap & Continuing Drama and Comedy
• Director – Television
• Camera – Television
• Editing – Television
• Sound – Television
• Writer - Soap & Continuing Drama and Comedy

EDITORS NOTES:

ABOUT IFTA

The Academy has 1000 Members of industry professionals across 14 Chapters of Discipline (Directors, Producers, Actors, Writers, Cinematographers, etc). On average 550 Members register to vote each year and participate as Jury alongside international Jury and experts which in recent years has included – Peter Jackson, Sir Alan Parker, Neil Marshall, Christopher Hampton, Sean Bobbitt, Leo Davis, Jina Jay, Trisha Biggar, Conrad Pope and Steve Gaydos.

The independent process of the Awards is best international practice across submissions, viewing process, platforms and the voting process will be independently audited. The Awards production is a culmination of year-round intensive work by a small Academy team across funding, partnerships, planning and co-ordination with production companies, broadcasters, state bodies, distributors, studios, agents, reps and publicists across Submissions, Screenings (Cinema & Online), international Jury Panels (each chaired by an Academy Member), Voting, Nominations, national Announcements, communication, PR, Event planning, logistics, transport, accommodation, film clips, content, visuals, statuette production, and event production – guests, set, clips, graphics, script, etc.

The Academy has been dedicated to nurturing and supporting the film and television industry in Ireland since 2003, through its extensive Learning programme of Academy monthly events each year and through honouring, rewarding and celebrating Irish creative talent at the annual Irish Academy Awards Ceremony.

Website:www.ifta.ie

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/iftaonline Twitter: @IFTA #IFTA15

ABOUT GALA

Established in 1998 and wholly Irish-owned, Gala is one of the most progressive symbol groups operating in the convenience retail market in Ireland. Gala stores are renowned for their high levels of service and commitment and support of local communities. Gala has 200 stores nationwide, and has enjoyed real growth to date in 2015.

Gala’s ethos is community convenience retailing at its best, and its values include: community, Irishness, quality and innovation. Gary Desmond, CEO of Gala, heads up the Gala team, who are based in Kill, Co. Kildare

In 2015, Gala was named as one of the official partners of Special Olympics Ireland’s Team Ireland, helping to fund 88 athletes travel and participation at the World Summer Games in LA. Gala has also been an ongoing supporter of the Jack & Jill Foundation, raising thousands of eurofor the charity, and the brand has previously been the title sponsors of the Gala All-Ireland Camogie Championships.

Gala stores are unique in that they are owned and run by local entrepreneurs who are very much part of their community. Each store is individual, and has been tailored to meet the needs of its customers. This consumer based approach has ensured the brand goes from strength to strength.

Website:www.Gala.ie

Facebook :www.facebook.com/GalaRetailTwitter Handle : @Gala_Retail

ABOUT TV3

Launched in 1998, TV3 is the largest commercial channel in Ireland with an 8% market share for Adults 15+. The channel reaches over 2.5 million individuals each week and over 3.4 million individuals each month. TV3 has a bigger market share for Adults 15+ than BBC1, Channel 4, Sky 1 & E4 combined.

TV3 Group continues to differentiate itself through an emphasis on Irish and home produced programming, and in 2015 more than 50% of its current schedule will be produced in Ireland. The development of the brand new Sony HD Studio has allowed for the production of bigger formats and even better content for distribution – giving scope for greater impact in the international market.

TV3 employs over 250 people fulltime and a further 130 people on its new soap drama ‘Red Rock’ which was launched in January 2015.

Today, TV3 Group has firmly established itself as the leader in TV entertainment in Ireland. While TV3 strikes the perfect balance between light hearted fun, home-grown daytime viewing and authentic original programming, its sister channel 3e, targets a slightly younger audience. The station’s Adults 15-34 share is bigger than BBC1, Comedy Central, E4 and Sky1.

Website:www.tv3.ie

Facebook:www.facebook.com/TVThreeIreland Twitter: @TV3Ireland

***Please note that Sasko Lazarov from Photocall Ireland will syndicate pictures to all picture desks on behalf of IFTA**

LAURA DWYER

KENNEDY PR & BRAND

Email: ldwyer@kennedyprandbrand.ie

Tel: 01 476 2000/0871 383837

IFTA PRESS OFFICE

Email: press@ifta.ie

Tel: 014788001

Photos: Photocall Ireland