There was a strong and very stylish turnout for the 20th anniversary of the Irish Film & Television Academy awards held at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre, close to Dublin Castle, last night.

International film stars, filmmakers, and Irish talent joined in the celebrations, helping to give due recognition for Irish talent and storytelling and to reward excellence in the achievements. Deirdre O’Kane was the host of this special event, during which no fewer than 28 awards were presented.  

The import of the awards can not be underestimated. Last year’s IFTA Best Film winner, The Quiet Girl (An Cailín Ciúin) won seven IFTA Awards plus Rising Star, and has gone on to make history as the first Irish language film to be nominated for an Oscar in the Best International Feature category.  

Among the red carpet arrivals: many female guests opted for on-trend summer black – as shown on Caitriona Balfe, Sharon Horgan and Amy Huberman or LWDs – Long White Dresses, which suited the balmy evening.

Click into the gallery below to see all the guests who attended and keep scrolling for more details on IFTA 2023 winners …

As for the awards: The Banshees of Inisherin won Best Film 2023 with Stephen Rea winning Best Actor in a Drama for his role in The English.

Emmy-nominated director Aoife McArdle was announced as the 2023 Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland Rising Star for her work on Apple TV’s hit series, Severence.

Best Actress Film was awarded to Bríd Ní Neachtain for her role in Róise & Frank with Kerry Condon winning for Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in The Banshees of Inisherin. Paul Mescal won the Actor in a Lead Role – Film award for his moving performance in Aftersun.

Actress in a Lead Role – Drama was awarded to Sharon Horgan (pictured above) for Bad Sisters. In fact Bad Sisters was the big winner across the evening, winning Best Drama plus Best Director Drama for Dearbhla Walsh and Actress in a Supporting Role – Drama, which was awarded to Ann Marie Duff for her powerful performance in the series.

Actor in a Supporting Role – Film was awarded to Brendan Gleeson for his performance in The Banshees of Inisherin with Actor in a Supporting Role – Drama awarded to Ciarán Hinds for his work in The Dry.

Frank Berry won two awards on the night: Best Director and Best Script Award for his film Aisha. Lisa McGee won the Award for Best Script – Drama for her celebrated work on Derry Girls, and the IFTA for Production Design went to Tamara Conboy for Aisha. 

The Academy Award winning film All Quiet on the Western Front won the Award for International Film with Austin Butler winning the Award for International Actor for his leading role as the iconic Elvis. The International Actress Award went to Cate Blanchett for her performance in Tár.

Jim Sheridan presented renowned veteran Costume Designer Joan Bergin with the Irish Academy’s Industry Lifetime Achievement Award, for her outstanding contribution to the Irish and international screen industry, across both film and television.

For other award winners visit www.ifta.ie.

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Photography: Brian McEvoy and Andres Poveda

PMcC