The IFTA Awards Ceremony is one of the most prestigious nights in the Irish entertainment and cultural calendar and this year is shaping up to being a night of great celebration for the industry.
The Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) will welcome the cream of Ireland’s creative talent from the world of film and television as they gather in Dublin on Saturday night (February 20th) to acknowledge and celebrate the Irish industry’s achievements both at home and abroad.

Hosted by Victoria Smurfit, the winners in 39 Irish Film & Television Awards (IFTAs) will be unveiled at the Irish Film & Television Awards, broadcasting LIVE to the Irish nation from 9.35pm GMT. 

The Awards Ceremony itself is putting the international spotlight on Ireland and Irish talent.  A wide range of TV News crews, reporters and publishers are heading for the Irish capital to report from the red carpet and back stage at Dublin’s Burlington Hotel.

NOMINEES ATTENDING

Among the Irish creative talent walking the red carpet at IFTA 2010 include acting nominees Brendan Gleeson, Colin Farrell, Saoirse Ronan, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Aidan Quinn, Ciarán Hinds, Michael Fassbender, Elaine Cassidy, Amy Huberman, Charlene McKenna, Sarah Bolger, Darren Healy, Nora Jane Noone, Jade Yourell, Janice Byrne, Amy Kirwan, Simon Delaney, Dervla Kirwan, Ger Ryan, Ruth Bradley, Robert Sheehan, Diarmuid Noyes, Dawn Bradfield and Tatianna Ouliankina; directors Neil Jordan, Jim Sheridan, Conor McPherson, John Carney, Kieran Carney, Thaddeus O’Sullivan, Ciaran Donnelly, Declan Recks and Robert Quinn; in addition to a host of production talent including composer Neil Hannon and costume designers Joan Bergin, Consolata Boyle and Eimer Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh.

JOHN BOORMAN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Legendary writer/director/producer John Boorman will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. John’s family, friends and former colleagues will pay tribute to the man and his illustrious career which spans over five decades.  Among the special guests flying into Dublin will be Oscar winning French actress Juliette Binoche (The English Patient, Chocolat, Caché, In My Country) and Oscar winning actor Jon Voight (Mission Impossible, Enemy of the State, Midnight Cowboy, Deliverance) as well as John’s son, Charley Boorman (The Long Way Round).   Other guests will partake in a key feature in the Ceremony, the special tribute to John Boorman, with involvement from leading Irish talents acknowledging John as the key influence on their careers i.e. Brendan Gleeson, Gabriel Byrne, Neil Jordan, Jim Sheridan, and special video contributions on screen from Burt Reynolds and Pierce Brosnan.  

Upon hearing of John Boorman’s Lifetime Achievement Award at IFTA 2010, Mr Voight said:  “Beautiful Ireland – where John’s heart truly lies – Ireland, the romantic, Celtic root and inspiration of all his art. He has given so much to Irish film making over the years, and now the love returns to him in this celebration.  Congratulations, dear John. Love to you, and to your precious Ireland.”

GUEST PRESENTERS

International guests coming in to join their Irish industry colleagues include Irish/American actors Matt Dillon and Josh Hartnett and British director Sir Alan Parker, who will each reveal the winner of key film Awards at the IFTA ceremony.  

Oscar nominated actor/director/writer Matt Dillon, whose grandparents are Irish, is a talented and versatile actor having appeared in films such as Crash, There’s Something About Mary, To Die For, The Outsiders and he most recently starred in Nimord Antal’s action drama Armoured. Matt filmed the 1995 film Frankie Starlight in Ireland and his family have strong Irish connections. His brother, Entourage star Kevin Dillon, presented an IFTA at the 2008 Irish Film & Television Awards.

Award winning actor/producer Josh Hartnett, whose ancestors hail from the Co. Kerry seaside town of Dingle, will present the Best Actress award at IFTA 2010.  The 31 year old actor has appeared in many feature films including Black Hawk Down, Pearl Harbour, The Black Dahlia, Lucky Number Slevin and 40 Days and 40 Nights.  Commenting on his visit to Ireland, Josh Hartnett said: “I’m thrilled to attend the Irish Film & Television Awards and spend some more time in my ancestors’ country. I’m proud of my Irish roots and really looking forward to being part of this great night.”

Oscar nominated director Sir Alan Parker, who’s no stranger to Irish shores, directed the hit Irish features The Commitments and Angela’s Ashes with other credits including Mississippi Burning, Evita and Fame.

IFTA winning Irish actors Liam Cunningham (Hunger, The Wind That Shakes the Barley) and Maria Doyle Kennedy (The Tudors, The Commitments, The General) will present top Awards on the night, as will actors Orla Brady (Nip Tuck), Patrick Bergin (Sleeping With The Enemy), Alison Doody (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade), Adrian Dunbar (The General), Rachel Pilkington (The Clinic), Keith McErlean (RAW), Fair City stars Clelia Murphy & Ciara O’Callaghan and television presenters including Miriam O’Callaghan, Daithi O Sé, Gerry Ryan, Gráinne Seoige, Mark Cagney and Donal MacIntyre.

On the big screen Neil Jordan’s Ondine and Conor McPherson’s The Eclipse lead the film nominations with the Oscar nominated animation The Secret of Kells, Margaret Corkery’s Eamon and John and Kiaran Carney’s Zonad also in the running for Best Film.  In the television categories, popular titles The Tudors, Pure Mule: The Last Weekend, Rásaí na Gaillimhe and Fair City feature in the television drama lineup with The Apprentice, Xposé, The All Ireland Talent Show, Ireland’s Grand Slam Journey and Celebrity Bainisteoir included in the TV genre categories. 

Speaking ahead of the 7th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards, IFTA CEO, Áine Morairty said:
“After twelve months of planning, it’s hard to believe IFTA 2010 is almost upon us! Ireland can be proud of its creative talent who are delivering world class production, entertaining audiences both at home and around the world. We will celebrate these fine achievements in Dublin this weekend.”

From production crew to catering staff, a team of over 600 works on the Irish Film & Television Awards, ensuring the festivities are a glittering night for all involved. With the gala ceremony just four days away, final preparations are underway at IFTA Headquarters in Dublin where the finishing touches to planning IFTA 2010 are being put in place. The Award statuettes mounted, stage sets are built and the fleet of hotel staff and caterers at The Burlington Hotel, led by General Manager John Clifton, are eagerly anticipating an influx of VIP guests. With 860 special guests in attendance and over 150 media reporting from Ireland and across the globe, all eyes will be on the IFTA red carpet as the starry night finally begins.

The 7th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards take place in Dublin’s Burlington Hotel on Saturday 20th February 2010. The IFTA ceremony broadcasts live on RTÉ One at 9.30pm

www.ifta.ie