The Irish Film Board Rising Star Award nominees have been announced for the IFTA 2010 ceremony. The category features six up-and-coming talents, the nominees are; writer/director of ‘Eamon’, Margaret Corkery; director of ‘The Secret of Kells’, Tomm Moore; writer/director of ‘Savage’, Brendan Muldowney and the film’s lead actor, Darren Healy; ‘Misfits’ star Robert Sheehan and ‘His & Hers’ director Ken Wardrop.
The winner of this award will be announced at the IFTA ceremony next month.
Selected by a special jury and sponsored by the IFB, the Rising Star Award aims to highlight exceptional new and breakthrough talent working in all areas of the Irish film industry. Last year’s IFTA Rising Star Award was won by actor Michael Fassbender as a result of his performance in the IFTA winning feature ‘Hunger’. Michael has since appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Inglourious Basterds’ and is scheduled to shoot the action feature ‘Knockout’ with director Steven Soderberg in Dublin next month.
The award’s previous winner, actress Saoirse Ronan was named the Irish Film Board Rising Star in 2008, following her breakthrough in ‘Atonement’ and this year has seen her receive IFTA and BAFTA nominations for her role in Peter Jackson’s ‘The Lovely Bones’.
Simon Perry, Chief Executive of Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board said: “It’s been an interesting time for Irish film with an abundance of talent both in front of and behind the camera emerging. The Rising Star Award recognizes and champions new creative talent which is a key objective of the Irish Film Board. This year’s nominees have all demonstrated exceptional talent in their field and we are delighted to see their achievements recognized with the award.”
Aine Moriarty, Chief Executive of the Irish Film and Television Academy said of the Rising Star Award: “This important Award puts the spotlight on great Irish talent making a significant mark in the film industry at large. These six exciting Irish stars have shown themselves to be world class talents in their respective fields and I have no doubt that they will be counted among the wealth of leading Irish talents over the coming years. IFTA is proud to put the international spotlight on Ireland’s Rising Stars and acknowledges the Irish Film Board’s ongoing support of new Irish industry talent.”
‘Eamon’ is the feature directorial debut for Margaret Corkery who said of her IFB Rising Star nomination: “We are absolutely delighted that our film Eamon has received Best Film, Best Screenplay and Best Actress and Rising Star nominations at this years IFTAs. After Eamon's international success, it is great to get this recognition at home ahead of the Irish cinema release in February 2010. I would like to thank the Irish Film and Television Academy and the Irish Film Board for their support of the film.”
Fellow nominee Tomm Moore whose film ‘The Secret of Kells’ is currently one off nineteen films shortlisted in the Animation category of the 2010 Academy Awards also voiced his delight, saying: "This nomination is a lovely surprise as we were already delighted to be nominated in the Film and Animation categories. I got the news in the middle of a scripting session for my new feature film and it’s a great incentive to push forward with that project.
“I think it’s a tribute to the whole creative team and the Irish and international co-producers who believed in The Secret of Kells for so long and especially to the Irish Film Board who have supported the project from the beginning."
’Savage’ writer and director Brendan Muldowney also commented: "I am delighted to be nominated in the Rising Star category and would like to thank IFTA and the Irish Film Board for recognising all the hard work and effort that was put in by the cast and crew of Savage.”
Finally ‘Cherrybomb’ actor and star of E4’s ‘Misfits’, Robert Sheehan described what the IFB Rising Star nomination meant to him: "I'm absolutely delighted and very proud to be nominated in the Rising Star category of the IFTAs. I've been a fervid follower of the awards over the last few years so it's really an honour to be involved now. I must give my sincere thanks to The Lisa Richards Agency, particularly Jonathan Shankey and Rose Parkinson. Also my family who are nothing but supportive and encouraging, particularly my mother who may well be joining me at the ceremony! I look forward to the evening."
The 7th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards will take place at Dublin’s Burlington Hotel on Saturday, 20 February 2010. The ceremony will broadcast live on 20 February 2010.
