Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema
MEL GIBSON
"Thank you so much for this incredible honor I'm really happy and pleased to be here.I remember with a great deal of fondness great memories of my time here and all the men and women that worked with me and helped me achieve my vision. Some of them were just fledging at the time and now they are kinda like veterans of camerawork and other aspects of film-making art, which is really gratifying to see how they've risen so far, when you saw where they started... I simply can't express how moved I am and my ole Mum would really have loved to have been here to see this. But, em, maybe she's watching? I'd like to thank you all from the very bottom of my heart."
MEL GIBSON
The Irish Film & Television Academy presented Mel Gibson with the 'Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema' award on Sunday 17th February 2008 in Dublin.Irish and international colleagues of Mel Gibson bestowed praise on the career of the world renowned director/producer and actor at the Irish Film and Television Awards in Dublin's Gaiety Theatre.Mel Gibson was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema Award at the Irish Film & Television Awards in Dublin by his 'Braveheart' co-star, Irish actor Sean McGinley.
The Irish Film & Television Academy's decision to honour Mel Gibson with their inaugural Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema Award stems from the success of Mel's Irish filmed feature 'Braveheart'. The multi-award winning film was shot on location in Ireland in 1994 and was the first major production to avail of the newly introduced tax breaks. As a result Ireland's landscape, facilities and pool of talented crew and actors was brought to an international stage, helping to establish the successful industry in Ireland today.
"the value of Mel, amongst his many other contributions, is his sincere artistry, his determination and his inability to not give a thousand percent to his vision - and believe me he is a man of exceptional vision."
ROBERT DOWNEY JR
"Congratulations on this much deserved acknowledgement from the IFTA. I really wish I could be there with you. Having watched all the films that you've directed, I just have to say without a doubt, you are an artist of uncommon vision."
RON HOWARD
Key Credits
Mad Max (1979)
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
Lethal Weapon (1987)
Braveheart (1995)
Ransom (1996)
The Patriot (2000)
Signs (2002)
The Passion of the Christ (2004) Director
Apocalypto (2006)
