2026 IFTA Nominations Announced
The Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) proudly unveils the nominations for the 2026 IFTA Awards, honouring exceptional achievements in Film and Drama across 29 categories. Culminating months of dedicated viewing and deliberation by Academy Members and expert juries, this year's nominees reflect Ireland's unparalleled storytelling on the global stage, throughout the past year. Deloitte serves as the official vote scrutineer.
Award winners will be announced at the 23rd anniversary IFTA Awards Ceremony taking place on Friday, February 20th, 2026 at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre, hosted for the second year running by comedian, actor and broadcaster Kevin McGahern.
This prestigious event will welcome Irish and international industry luminaries, celebrating artistic and technical brilliance while spotlighting the profound impact of Irish filmmaking craft and storytelling both domestically and globally. This year, beloved actor Ciarán Hinds will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to cinema and television. .
Academy CEO, Áine Moriarty said:
“What a superb lineup of Nominees this year shortlisted for Irish Academy Awards. This incredible showcase of work reinforces the fact that Irish talent is truly amongst the best in the world, working both in front and behind the camera across the globe. We look forward to rewarding their work and achievements at the Ceremony on February 20th”
IRISH ACADEMY AWARDS - NOMINATIONS 2026
BEST FILM NOMINEES 2026
The six films nominated for Best Film capture the incredible storytelling taking place on Irish screens today. Irish-language feature Aontas follows three women staging a robbery in a rural Credit Union – but there are twists around every corner. Blue Moon, from renowned filmmaker Richard Linklater and filmed in Ireland, transports us to 1940s New York on Broadway’s opening night of Oklahoma. Christy is a sensitive and uplifting story of a young Cork man finding independence after leaving the foster system. Four Mothers is a hilarious and touching film that sees a successful author balancing his book tour with caring for his elderly mother – and three of his friends’ mothers too. Saipan dramatises an infamous moment in Irish soccer history as an electrifying clash of personalities. Steve viscerally depicts a headmaster trying to keep his students in line at a reform school while dealing with his own personal struggles.
BEST DRAMA NOMINEES 2026
This year’s Best Drama nominees exhibit the wide variety of brilliant television made in Ireland and reaching audiences worldwide. Blue Lights Season 3 returns to the streets of Belfast as the team compete with new violent forces. Leonard and Hungry Paul follows a young man in the wake of losing his mother – with the narration of Julia Roberts guiding us through his story. In Trespasses, a Catholic teacher living through the Troubles becomes involved with a married Protestant barrister. The Walsh Sisters adapts Marian Keyes’ stories of a vibrant family of strong-willed women. Wednesday Season 2, from director Tim Burton, filmed in Ireland, sees the iconic Addams Family heroine return to the suspenseful Nevermore Academy. The Young Offenders Season 4 returns to Conor and Jock’s misadventures in the colourful Cork suburbs.
ACTING CATEGORIES
The Lead Actor in Film category showcases superb Irish talent, with Cillian Murphy (Steve), Colin Farrell (Ballad of a Small Player), Daniel Day-Lewis (Anemone), Daniel Power (Christy) and the stars of Saipan, Éanna Hardwicke and Steve Coogan. (see all Actor categories below)
The Lead Actress in Film nominees are equally impressive, featuring Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), Carrie Crowley (Aontas), Carolyn Bracken (Horseshoe), Fionnula Flanagan (Four Mothers), Fiona Shaw (Hot Milk) and Eleanor O’Brien (Báite). (see all Actor categories below)
In Drama, standout Lead Actor nominees include Anthony Boyle (House of Guinness), Pierce Brosnan (MobLand), Domhnall Gleeson (The Paper), Martin McCann (Blue Lights), Aaron Monaghan (Hidden Assets) and Alex Murphy (The Young Offenders). (see all Actor categories below)
For Lead Actress in a Drama, standout nominee performances include Niamh Algar (The Iris Affair), Caitríona Balfe (Outlander), Siobhán Cullen (Obituary), Louisa Harland (The Walsh Sisters), Nora-Jane Noone (Hidden Assets) and Lola Petticrew (Trespasses). (see all Actress categories below)
FIRST-TIME ACTING NOMINEES
This year sees 7 first-time IFTA nominees, including Daniel Power, Emma Willis and Jamie Forde (Christy), Cal O’Driscoll (Video Nasty), Louisa Harland (The Walsh Sisters), Eleanor O’Brien (Báite) and Katherine Devlin (Blue Lights).
SEVEN FEMALE DIRECTING NOMINEES
There is a record number of women nominated in directing categories at this year’s Awards, including Drama directors Rachel Carey (Obituary), Megan K Fox (Video Nasty), Oonagh Kearney (The Au Pair), Mia Mullarkey (Hidden Assets), Aisling Walsh (Showkids), debut feature director Myrid Carten (A Want in Her); as well as Lisa Barros D’Sa, who co-directed Saipan with Glenn Leyburn.
The male directors nominated include three debut filmmakers: Brendan Canty (Christy), Edwin Mullane & Adam O’Keeffe (Horseshoe); alongside Lorcan Finnegan (The Surfer), Ruán Magan (Báite), and Hugh O’Conor (Showkids).
TALENT ACROSS INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS
In addition to the brilliant roster of Irish Film and Drama projects in contention, a significant number of Irish talent are nominated for their work on major international productions. Irish writer Maggie O’Farrell is nominated with Chloé Zhao for Hamnet’s screenplay, adapted from O’Farrell’s novel, with Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal nominated for their performances in the film, and the film gaining an IFTA Nomination in the International Film category.
Other talent nominated for international projects include House of Guinness stars Anthony Boyle, Danielle Galligan, Fionn O’Shea and Jack Gleeson; as well as Liam Cunningham (Palestine 36), Kerry Condon (F1, Train Dreams), Ruth Bradley (Slow Horses), Genevieve O’Reilly (Andor) and Alison Oliver (Task). Robbie Ryan (Bugonia) and Suzie Lavelle (Severance) are also nominated in Cinematography, with Ben Yeates (House of Guinness) nominated in Editing; and Steve Fanagan (Anemone) nominated in Sound. Enda Walsh is nominated for Screenplay for Lynne Ramsay’s Die My Love, with Seamus McGarvey also nominated for his Cinematography for the film.
Film - At a Glance (most Nominations)
Christy - 14 nominations
Saipan - 12 nominations
Blue Moon - 8 nominations
Four Mothers - 7 nominations
Aontas - 6 nominations
Each year, new talent comes to the fore, and again this year, Irish Academy Members have been impressed by the storytelling and talent shining through in Cork-set drama Christy, which leads our Film categories with 14 nominations. Its nominations include debut feature director Brendan Canty, first-time screenplay nominee Alan O’Gorman, and first-time acting nominees Daniel Power, Emma Willis and Jamie Forde.
Saipan receives 12 nominations including two Lead Actor nominations for Éanna Hardwicke and Steve Coogan as warring football icons Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy, and further nominations for Northern Irish directors Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn, composers David Holmes and Brian Irvine, and more.
Blue Moon, in which US director Richard Linklater uses Ireland’s brilliant studio and crew to recreate the magic of mid-century Manhattan, tells the story of songwriter Lorenz Harte. The film has 8 nominations, with Irish talent nominated across Costume Design, Production Design and other craft, along with Supporting Actor nominee Andrew Scott, with Ethan Hawke and Margaret Qualley getting a nod in the International categories.
With 7 nominations, Four Mothers sees filmmaking brothers Darren and Colin Thornton return to the IFTAs after the Best Film win in 2017 for A Date for Mad Mary, with a touching and hilarious family drama following a successful author balancing his book tour with caring for his elderly mother – and three of his friends’ mothers too. The iconic Fionnula Flanagan is nominated for Lead Actress for her performance, with Scottish leading man James McArdle nominated in the International category.
Aontas is another Irish-language film that has intrigued the Academy Voting Members this year, with its highly original bank heist narrative led by determined female characters, with the film garnering 6 nominations including Best Film, as well as acting noms for Carrie Crowley, Brid Brennan, Seán T. Ó Meallaigh, writer and director Sarah Gordon and Damian McCann, and composer Daithí Ó Drónaí.
The 23rd anniversary IFTA Awards Ceremony takes place on Friday, February 20th at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre. Full details of the upcoming IFTA Awards Ceremony on February 20th will soon be announced including Guest Presenters, Rising Star nominees, and international guests. The Awards are funded by Screen Ireland and Coimisiún na Meán.
FULL LIST OF NOMINEES
FILM CATEGORIES
BEST FILM
Aontas
Blue Moon
Christy
Four Mothers
Saipan
Steve
DIRECTOR - FILM
Lisa Barros D'Sa, Glenn Leyburn - Saipan
Brendan Canty - Christy
Myrid Carten - A Want in Her
Lorcan Finnegan - The Surfer
Ruán Magan - Báite
Edwin Mullane, Adam O'Keeffe - Horseshoe
SCRIPT FILM
Sarah Gordon, Damian McCann - Aontas
Maggie O'Farrell, Chloé Zhao - Hamnet
Alan O'Gorman - Christy
Sheena Lambert - Báite
Darren Thornton, Colin Thornton - Four Mothers
Enda Walsh - Die My Love
LEAD ACTOR - FILM
Steve Coogan - Saipan
Daniel Day-Lewis - Anemone
Colin Farrell - Ballad of a Small Player
Éanna Hardwicke - Saipan
Cillian Murphy - Steve
Daniel Power - Christy
LEAD ACTRESS - FILM
Jessie Buckley - Hamnet
Carolyn Bracken - Horseshoe
Carrie Crowley - Aontas
Fionnula Flanagan - Four Mothers
Eleanor O’Brien - Báite
Fiona Shaw - Hot Milk
SUPPORTING ACTOR - FILM
Liam Cunningham - Palestine 36
Jamie Forde - Christy
Paul Mescal - Hamnet
Diarmuid Noyes - Christy
Seán T. Ó Meallaigh - Aontas
Andrew Scott - Blue Moon
SUPPORTING ACTRESS - FILM
Brid Brennan - Aontas
Kerry Condon - F1
Sarah Greene - Trad
Dearbhla Molloy - Four Mothers
Kerry Condon - Train Dreams
Emma Willis - Christy
DRAMA CATEGORIES
BEST DRAMA
Blue Lights
Leonard and Hungry Paul
Trespasses
The Walsh Sisters
Wednesday S2
The Young Offenders
DIRECTOR DRAMA
Rachel Carey - Obituary
Megan K Fox - Video Nasty
Oonagh Kearney - The Au Pair
Mia Mullarkey - Hidden Assets
Hugh O'Conor - Showkids
Aisling Walsh - Miss Austen
SCRIPT DRAMA
Peter Foott - The Young Offenders
Ailbhe Keogan - Trespasses
Declan Lawn, Adam Patterson - Blue Lights
Cara Loftus - Hidden Assets
Stefanie Preissner - The Walsh Sisters
Hugh Travers - Video Nasty
LEAD ACTOR - DRAMA
Anthony Boyle - House of Guinness
Pierce Brosnan - MobLand
Domhnall Gleeson - The Paper
Martin McCann - Blue Lights
Aaron Monaghan - Hidden Assets
Alex Murphy - The Young Offenders
LEAD ACTRESS - DRAMA
Niamh Algar - The Iris Affair
Caitriona Balfe - Outlander
Siobhán Cullen - Obituary
Louisa Harland - The Walsh Sisters
Nora-Jane Noone - Hidden Assets
Lola Petticrew - Trespasses
SUPPORTING ACTOR - DRAMA
Jack Gleeson - House of Guinness
Cal O'Driscoll - Video Nasty
Dónall Ó Héalai - Hidden Assets
Fionn O'Shea - House of Guinness
Aidan Quinn - The Walsh Sisters
Chris Walley - The Young Offenders
SUPPORTING ACTRESS - DRAMA
Cathy Belton - Hidden Assets
Ruth Bradley - Slow Horses
Katherine Devlin - Blue Lights
Danielle Galligan - House of Guinness
Alison Oliver - Task
Genevieve O'Reilly - Andor
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES
INTERNATIONAL FILM
Bugonia
Hamnet
One Battle After Another
Palestine '36
Sentimental Value
Sinners
INTERNATIONAL ACTOR
Leonardo DiCaprio - One Battle After Another
Ethan Hawke - Blue Moon
Michael B Jordan - Sinners
James McArdle - Four Mothers
Sean Penn - One Battle After Another
Jesse Plemons - Bugonia
INTERNATIONAL ACTRESS
Chase Infiniti - One Battle After Another
Jennifer Lawrence - Die My Love
Margaret Qualley - Blue Moon
Renate Reinsve - Sentimental Value
Emma Stone - Bugonia
Teyana Taylor - One Battle After Another
DOCUMENTARY & SHORT FILM CATEGORIES
GEORGE MORRISON FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
A Want in Her
The Essence of Eva
Listen To The Land Speak
Sanatorium
Testimony
Útoipe Cheilteach
Redbreast SHORT FILM AWARD
The Ban
No Mean City
No Time Wasters
Nostalgie
Punt
Three Keenings
ANIMATED SHORT
Éiru
Inside, The Valley Sings
Rerooted
Retirement Plan
CRAFT CATEGORIES
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Bugonia - Robbie Ryan
Christy - Colm Hogan
Die My Love - Seamus McGarvey
Saipan - Piers McGrail
Severance - Suzie Lavelle
CASTING
Christy - Amy Rowan
Four Mothers - Louise Kiely
The Rainmaker - Emma Gunnery
Ready Or Not - Maureen Hughes
Saipan - Aine O'Sullivan
COSTUME DESIGN
Blue Moon - Consolata Boyle
Christy - Hannah Bury
Four Mothers - Joan O'Cleary
Saipan - Lara Campbell
Video Nasty - Joanne O'Brien
EDITING
Blue Lights - Helen Sheridan
Christy - Allyn Quigley
House of Guinness - Ben Yeates
Saipan - John Murphy, Gavin Buckley
The Surfer - Tony Cranstoun
Sculpted by Aimee MAKE-UP & HAIR
Blue Moon - Linda Gannon, Liz Byrne
Christy - Jennie Readman, Edwina Kelly
Saipan - Polly McKay
Trespasses - Natalie Reid
Wednesday - Lynn Johnston
ORIGINAL MUSIC
Aontas - Daithí Ó Drónaí
Báite - Eimear Noone, Craig Stuart Garfinkle
Christy - Daithí Ó Drónaí
Saipan - David Holmes, Brian Irvine
Video Nasty - Die Hexen
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Blue Moon - Susie Cullen, Kevin Downey
Christy - Martin Goulding
Saipan - John Leslie
Wednesday - Philip Murphy, Neville Gaynor
Video Nasty - Tara O'Reilly
SOUND
Anemone - Steve Fanagan
Blue Moon - Hugh Fox
Saipan - Tim Harrison, Andrew Graham, Paul Maynes
The Surfer - Aza Hand
Video Nasty - Patrick Downey
VFX
Anemone - Tom Fagan
Foundation - Ed Bruce, Andrew Barry
House of Guinness - Eoin O’Sullivan, David Sewell
One Battle After Another - Ed Bruce, Amrei Bronnenmayer
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