The 21st Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) Awards ceremony took place in Dublin on Saturday night, honoring the best in Irish film, television, and performances from the past year. The night’s top winners included actor Cillian Murphy for his acclaimed turn in “Oppenheimer” and the hit crime drama series “Kin,” which dominated the television categories.
Murphy, who had already won an Oscar, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and SAG Award for his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer, added the IFTA Best Actor award to his impressive awards season sweep. In his acceptance speech, the Irish star expressed his gratitude for being honored at home, saying, “Being in this room is so special — being at home, with people that I love and admire amongst my fellow nominees and some of my favorite people.”
The gritty family crime saga “Kin” emerged as the big winner in the drama categories, taking home four awards, including Best Drama, Director for Kate Dolan, Script for Peter McKenna, and Supporting Actress for Maria Doyle Kennedy. The series’ second season had received widespread critical acclaim.
In the film categories, “That They May Face the Rising Sun,” Pat Collins’ adaptation of John McGahern’s novel, won Best Film, while “Lies We Tell” earned three awards: Director for Lisa Mulcahy, Script for Elisabeth Gooch, and Lead Actress for Agnes O’Casey.
Other notable winners included Paul Mescal for Best Supporting Actor in “All of Us Strangers,” and Alison Oliver for Best Supporting Actress in “Saltburn.” In the international categories, “Oppenheimer” took home Best International Film, while Emma Stone won Best International Actress for her role in “Poor Things,” and Paul Giamatti claimed Best International Actor for “The Holdovers.”
The George Morrison Feature Documentary award went to “The Days of Trees,” and the short film winners were “Calf” for Live-Action Short and “Wind & The Shadow” for Animated Short.
Craft category winners included “Poor Things” for Cinematography (Robbie Ryan), “LOLA” for Costume Design (Lara Campbell), “A Haunting in Venice” for Production Design, “The Pope’s Exorcist” for Hair & Make-Up, “Barbie” for Sound, “LOLA” for Original Music (Neil Hannon), “Still: A Michael J Fox Movie” for Editing, and “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” for VFX.
The IFTA Awards ceremony, hosted by popular TV personality Baz Ashmawy, celebrated the best of Irish talent and productions, both on the big screen and the small screen, over the past year. The event brought together many of Ireland’s most prominent actors, directors, and industry professionals for a night of recognition and celebration.