Producer Michael Casey
accepting John Simpson's New Talent award. |
The NIFTC & The IFB have announced their delight with the Irish wins at the IFTA’s on Saturday night especially congratulating John Simpson’s ‘Freeze Frame’ triple win, Lenny Abrahamson’s Best Director win for ‘Adam & Paul’ and Vinny Cunningham’s ‘Battle of The Bogside’ best documentary award.
‘Freeze Frame’ starring Lee Evans, was the top winner of the night picking up more awards than
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any other entrant, in addition to winning every category for which it was nominated. Ashleigh Jeffers won for Best Production Design, Mark Garrett won for Best Cinematography and John Simpson picked up the award for Best New Talent - which was co-sponsored by the NIFTC and Irish Film Board.
Lenny Abrahamson won the coveted Best Director award for‘Adam & Paul,’ his acclaimed film about Dublin junkie life. Perfect Cousin’s ‘Battle of The Bogside’ took the award for Best Documentary, a category that was dominated by Northern Irish talent. Four of the six documentaries were from Northern Ireland's production companies including Mint Productions and DoubleBand.
Other IFB congratulations were extended to winners; Jeffrey Caine for Best Script with ‘Inside I’m Dancing,’ the ‘Omagh’ production which scooped the Best Irish Film award and Best Actor award for Gerard McSorley, ‘Song For A Raggy Boy’s’ People’s Choice Award win. Also included were Best Music for ‘Timbuktu,’ Best Costume for ‘Cowboy’s and Angels’ and finally ‘The Boy Who Had No Story’ which picked up two awards Best Animation and Best Children’s Youth programme.
Michael Casey, Producer of top winners ‘Freeze Frame’ said:
”Parallel World Productions and Wildfire Films are delighted with the triple success of Freeze Frame at this year's Irish Film & Television Awards. The awards represent a wonderful individual and collective achievement. The unique world created by John and realised in conjunction with Mark, Ashleigh and an exceptional cast and crew, is something that everyone involved can be extremely proud of. To achieve such recognition in the face of genuinely strong competition is an honour indeed. Particular thanks go to the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission, the Irish Film Board and Universal Pictures for their backing and support in bringing such an original and accomplished film to the screen.”
The NIFTC's Chief Executive Richard Williams commented:
"This was a fantastic night for Northern Ireland and the NIFTC. Northern Ireland's creative talent from both in front and behind the cameras has been recognised on an unprecedented level. The NIFTC are proud to be associated with the IFTAs and delighted for the cast and crew of ‘Freeze Frame’ and ‘Battle Of The Bogside’".
“We are delighted to see new talent picking up these prestigious awards” says Mark Woods, BSE/IFB CEO. “We’d like to congratulate all of the winners and look forward to working with them again in the future”.
