The Irish Film & Television Academy is delighted to announce the four nominees for the “Pantene Best International Actress Award”, a People's Choice Category which will be voted for by the Irish public to celebrate the outstanding talent working in the film industry today. This is one of only two categories specifically voted for by Irish audiences which will be presented at this year’s Irish Film & Television Awards.  All other categories for IFTA 2010 are voted on by Academy members and Jury. 

The people of Ireland can now choose their favourite international actress from the following nominations:

Marion Cotillard – Nine
After a stunning breakthrough Award winning performance in La Vie en Rose, Marion Cotillard’s performance in Nine has also won her a Golden Globe nomination.

Penélope Cruz – Broken Embraces
Broken Embraces is the fourth collaboration between Pedro Almodovar and his muse; once again Penélope Cruz shines through with a wonderful performance.

Anna Kendrick – Up In The Air
Anna Kendrick’s performance in Up in the Air has earned her a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nomination this month.  A relative newcomer, Anna plays an ambitious young coworker named Natalie Keener opposite George Clooney’sRyan Bingham.

Meryl Streep – It’s Complicated
Meryl Streep has portrayed an astonishing array of roles in her unique career. Her performance in It’s Complicated has earned her a Golden Globe nomination.

Voting opens online on Friday 9th January and closes on Monday 1st February 2010. Simply visit www.ifta.ie/pantene to cast your vote.

Prizes include a trip for two to New York!

This year's winner will be announced at the Awards ceremony, which takes place on Saturday 20th February 2010. The ceremony will be broadcast primetime.

The Academy announcements of all of the Irish industry nominees across film and television will be made on Monday 11 January, and will mark the countdown to the Awards ceremony on February 20th.

The Academy is proud to partner with Pantene for the sixth consecutive year on this popular public vote. It’s now up to the Irish cinema-going public to vote for their favourite female performance from this wonderful selection of actresses shortlisted by members of the Academy.  Previous winners of the Pantene Best International Actress Award include Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren and Hilary Swank for their respective roles in Mamma Mia!, The Queen, and P.S. I Love You.

Pantene are delighted to sponsor the Best International Actress Award, Pantene’s Brand Manager said: "Our actress nominees delivered some of the most outstanding performances seen on film in the last 12 months and really do reflect our philosophy of letting the best of you shine through."

Following on from the success of the Awards in 2009, this year's Awards ceremony promises to be a highly prestigious and glamorous event with a host of film stars, TV personalities, directors, producers and distinguished guests in attendance to celebrate the undisputed talent that exists within the film and television industries in Ireland and around the globe.

Further details are available from the Irish Film & Television Awards website: www.ifta.ie
For further media information, nominee pictures and biographies, please contact:
David O’Brien, at Dynamics PR (Mobile 087 2208636) or email info@dynamicspr.ie
Tanya Warren at IFTA (Tel: +353 1 6200812 or email: press@ifta.ie)