Irish Film and Television Awards: Cillian Murphy and Saoirse Ronan Shine!
The Irish Film and Television Awards brought star power to Dublin with Cillian Murphy winning Best Actor for ‘Small Things Like These’ and Saoirse Ronan snagging Best Actress for ‘The Outrun.’ Kneecap had 17 nominations, while Rich Peppiatt won Best Director. The evening celebrated the growing standard of Irish cinema, with plenty of witty exchanges and future projects hinted at!
The Irish Film and Television Awards hit Dublin on a starry Friday night, featuring fine faces like Saoirse Ronan and Cillian Murphy. With Kneecap strutting in with a hefty 17 nominations, all plates were set for a thrilling awards feast! Cillian snagged Best Actor for ‘Small Things Like These,’ while he cheekily apologised to Kneecap: “Sorry Kneecap. You had me outnumbered.” The film won big with Best Film too!
Saoirse was the queen of the evening, taking home awards for Best Actress for ‘The Outrun’ and Best Supporting Actress for ‘Blitz.’ Cillian wasn’t the only one with acting chops, as Colin Farrell took the crown for Best Lead Actor in a TV Drama for ‘The Penguin’. Rich Peppiatt, fresh from earning his Irish citizenship, won Best Director for Kneecap.
Andrew Scott, known for his role in ‘Ripley,’ shed some starry wisdom prior to the event, noting, “The standard of our work is going from strength to strength,” hoping we keep making films proudly wrapped in our Irish identity. Saoirse Ronan, charming as ever, expressed her desire to act in Irish, with only a sprinkle of shame for her language skills.
Sharon Horgan, the multi-talented mastermind behind ‘Bad Sisters,’ teased us with hints about a third season. “I think about plots all the time,” she quipped, perhaps plotting her next murder twist! Kneecap, among the lively red carpet crew, gathered buzz with member JJ O’Doherty declaring, “Hopefully people are challenged now to go out and make high quality films instead of shite.”
Rich Peppiatt shared his excitement, clutching an Irish flag badge and stating, “I became an Irish citizen earlier today,” letting us know he wrangled fame and paperwork all in the same whirlwind day. Lola Petticrew bagged the Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her portrayal of Dolours Price in ‘Say Nothing’, stressing that representation matters.
The awards kept rolling, honouring Anthony Boyle as Rising Star, and introducing you to the fabulous Alisha Weir, who didn’t quite confirm her rumoured role as Dorothy in ‘Wicked: For Good’. Colm Meaney gracefully accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award, joking, “It means a thing about yay size, very heavy.”
Meanwhile, Victoria Smurfit hinted at a juicy second season for ‘Rivals,’ promising it’ll be one for the records. All in all, the ceremony showcased an eclectic mix of talent, inspiration, and a good dash of humour, proving once again why Irish film and TV continues to dazzle the globe!
In a night chock-full of laughter, talent, and playful jests, the Irish Film and Television Awards showcased a myriad of incredible artists. Cillian Murphy and Saoirse Ronan top the evening’s highlights, alongside fresh talents like Kneecap and Lola Petticrew. With a bright future for Irish cinema at hand, it seems every award was just a stepping stone towards the next big cinematic explosion!
Original Source: www.independent.ie
