19 March 2024 The Irish Film & Television Network
     

Irish Film and Television Network

 »

TV

 »

news



Stars hit Belfast for the IFTA Awards
07 Dec 2000 :
An array of stars from Irish Film and Television arrived in Belfast at the weekend for the Irish Film and Television Awards.

The ceremony, held in the Waterfront Hall, was hosted by playwright and actress, Marie Jones, in front of hundreds of members of the Academy and the public. The ceremony was recorded for broadcast on BBC Northern Ireland and RTE.

Among the audience were Ewan McGregor, Milo O’Shea, Victoria Smurfitt, Adrian Dunbar and Jimmy Ellis and People presenting awards included Neil Jordan, Donna Traynor, Jonathan Rhys Myers, Lorcan Cranitch and Sorcha Cusack.

There were fifteen categories in this years awards with the Best Leading Actor award going to ‘Saltwater’ star Peter McDonald. The Best Leading Actress award went to Susan Lynch for her work in ‘Nora’. Awards for Best Television Drama and Best Craft Achievement went to Eureka Street, which was produced by Euphoria Films for BBC Northern Ireland and RTE.

Ballykissangel star, Tina Kellagher won the award for Best Leading Performance on Television for her portrayal of Niamh Quigley. Speaking afterwards, Ms Kellagher paid tribute to the late Tony Doyle, who played her father in the hit drama series.

This was the first year that the public were offered the chance to take part in a phone vote for their favourite Television personality. The list comprised Amanda Byram (TV3), Anne Doyle (RTE), Hiudai (TG4), Gerry Kelly (UTV) and Patrick Kielty (BBC Northern Ireland). The award winner, by a huge margin, was Huidai, TG4’s animated children’s character. Patrick Kielty was later heard denouncing the award as a fix!

Among the awards heading to the Television Centre in Donnybrook were those for Best News and Current Affairs Programme and Best Features Programme, which went to Primetime and Cursai Ealaine. On the Television Documentary side, the award for the Best Documentary in English went to Ferndale Film’s ‘Luke’ which was produce for RTE and the Award for the Irish Documentary went to Gael Media’s ‘Mad Dog Coll’, which was broadcast on TG4.

In relation to comedy, the winner of the Best Entertainment Programme was ‘A Scare at Bedtime with Podge and Rodge’ produced by Double Z Enterprises for RTE.

The awards ceremony was followed by an industry reception in the Waterfront Hall where many people caught up with old friends and a few celebrities, like Adrian Dunbar, where planning to party through to Monday!

On behalf of the Irish Film and Television Academy, chief executive Finnoula Sweeney said “We are delighted so many people from the world of Television and Film throughout Ireland and beyond have been able to attend this evenings award ceremony. I am sure everyone will agree the standard of this year’s nominations was truly outstanding and we extend our congratulations to all those nominated and to the award winners.”

Speaking to me after the ceremony, veteran actor Jimmy Ellis told me “I feel that it is an important step for Ireland to establish its own Academy. It means that local actors and performers get their chance to shine.”

- David Gordon



Free Industry Newsletter
Subscribe to IFTN's industry newsletter - it's free and e-mailed directly to your inbox every week.
Click here to sign up.






 
 the Website  Directory List  Festivals  Who's Who  Locations  Filmography  News  Crew  Actors
 

Contact Us | Advertise | Copyright | Terms & Conditions | Security & Privacy | RSS Feed | Twitter

 

 

 
canli bahis siteleri rulet siteleri bahis siteleri yeni giris casino siteleri deneme bonusu veren siteler bahis siteleri free spin veren siteler deneme bonusu veren slot siteleri