Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board and the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) have announced the short list for the 2012 ‘Rising Star’ Award. The nominees were chosen by a special jury and this special award aims to highlight exceptional new and breakthrough talent working in all areas of the Irish film industry. This year’s nominees include two writer-directors and two actors.
Writer-Director Rebecca Daly has been nominated for her debut feature film ‘The Other Side of Sleep’. Rebecca Daly made her first short film ‘Joyriders’ which won Best Short at the 2007 IFTAs. She developed and co-wrote ‘The Other Side of Sleep’, which had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2011. Speaking about her nomination Daly said, “I am really delighted and honoured to be named alongside the other nominees in this year’s Irish Film Board Rising Star category. It’s been a crazy, amazing experience making The Other Side of Sleep and presenting it to audiences both at home and abroad. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to make films I believe in and I couldn’t be more thankful for the IFB’s ongoing support and recognition of my work.”
Also named as a Rising Star hopeful this year is Irish actor Chris O’Dowd, who made his TV debut in the RTÉ drama series ‘The Clinic’ followed by a role as Roy in the hugely CH4 popular comedy series ‘IT Crowd’. He has since made the move into the international movie scene starring in such films as ‘The Boat That Rocked’, ‘Gulliver’s Travels’, ‘Dinner for Schmucks’ and 2011 comedy smash ‘Bridesmaids’. Chris has received two other Irish Film & Television Awards nominations this year including Supporting Actor Film for his performance in ‘Bridesmaids’ and Supporting Actor TV for his role in ‘Crimson Petal and The White’. Chris is currently filming comedy series ‘Moone Boy’ at Ireland’s Ardmore Studios which he developed and co-wrote for Sky television. Taking a break from shooting he told IFTA how it felt to be nominated saying, “Thank you so much people of IFTA for including this shy country boy in your glorious shindig in the big schmoke. Can't wait for the night. Can I meet Bosco? Cheers”
John Michael McDonagh, also a writer and first time feature director has been nominated for his breakthrough black comedy ‘The Guard’ which is the most successful independent Irish film to date taking a record €4.3m at the Irish box office. McDonagh has also been shortlisted for Best Original Screenplay at this year’s BAFTA Film Awards, in addition to ‘The Guard’ receiving nine Irish Film & Television Awards nominations. Commenting on his nomination McDonagh told IFTA, “I'm very pleased to be nominated for this year's Rising Star Award,” and jokingly said, “However, given that I am pathologically competitive, this nomination will mean nothing to me if I don't win. All opposition must be crushed. Especially Chris O'Dowd, who will be starring with Brendan Gleeson in my next film later this year. If he wins his role with have to be recast. I'm that vindictive.”
Instantly recognisable to fans of Channel 4 show ‘Hollyoaks’ Emmett J. Scanlan is also nominated for this year’s Rising Star Award for his lead role in first time feature director Terry McMahon’s ‘Charlie Casanova’. In the last year Emmett has picked up National Television Award nominations for Best Newcomer and Best Actor for his role as Brendan in ‘Hollyoaks’. ‘Charlie Casanova’ has won the Best First Feature Film Award at the Galway Film Fleadh in addition to Best Film at the DMV International Film Festival in Washington Awards at festivals in Washington. ‘Charlie Casanova’ is nominated for four IFTAs including Best Film. Speaking about his nomination to IFTA Scanlan said, “I’m utterly shocked. When I heard the news I thought it was a wind up at first… This is stuff of fairy tales. Walt Disney couldn't have written it, Mystic Meg couldn't have predicted it… I just wanted to make a movie and now I find myself in a category of folk more deserving of the recognition...the fact that it's my own home country makes this very special for me. I am massively humbled and grateful for the nod. Thank you very much.”
Commenting on the nominations James Hickey, Chief Executive Bord Scannán na hÉireann / Irish Film Board said: “Creating opportunities for new Irish talent across feature films, animation and documentary through our film funding is one of the key objectives of Bord ScannÁn na hÉireann / Irish Film Board. The Rising Star Award provides a profile for new talent and we hope that this year’s nominees go on to achieve great success in the future.”
Speaking about the Rising Star Award and this years nominees, Irish Film and Television Academy CEO, Áine Moriarty said, “This important Award puts the spotlight on great Irish talent making a significant mark in the film industry at large. These four 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 Irelands Rising Stars and acknowledges the Irish Film Board’s on-going support of new Irish industry talent.”
Previous winners of the Rising Star include Domhnall Gleeson, who won last year, writer-director Tomm Moore, Michael Fassbender and Saoirse Ronan. The winner will be announced on the night of the 9th Annual Film and Television Awards which take place in the Dublin Convention Centre on the 11th February 2012. The awards will be broadcast live on the night on RTÉ One from 9.30pm GMT.
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