Northern Ireland projects and talent nominated for the 2025 IFTA Film and Drama Awards
Date Posted: January 14, 2025
The Irish Film & Television Academy has announced the nominations for the 2025 IFTA Awards.
Projects made in Northern Ireland and homegrown talent feature heavily, securing 34 nominations across 29 categories in Film & Drama.
The team behind Kneecap, the fictionalised biopic of the incorrigible West Belfast rap outfit, has yet more cause for celebration with a huge 17 nominations, including for Best Film, Director (Rich Peppiatt), Script, Lead Actor (a category in which all three members, namely Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh are in the running) and Supporting Actor for Michael Fassbender. Kneecap’s Fionnuala Flaherty, Simone Kirby and Jessica Reynolds have also received nominations for Supporting Actress. Kneecap also earned nominations for Casting (Carla Stronge), Cinematography (Ryan Kernaghan), Costume Design (Zjena Glamocanin), Production Design (Nicola Moroney), Hair and Makeup(Liz Boston), Sound(Aza Hand, Brendan Rehill, Chris Woodcock), and Editing(Julian Ulrichs & Chris Gill).
For Best TV Drama, Northern Ireland Screen-supported Blue Lights returned in 2024 with a remarkable second series, earning a nomination alongside the Irish –Language Broadcast Fund supported drama Crá. Joining them in the category is the critically acclaimed Say Nothing, a production that highlights the wealth of Northern Irish talent, including director Michael Lennox who has received a nomination in the TV Drama Director category, alongside Brian Kirk for The Day of the Jackal.
In the Script (Drama – TV) category, Belfast native Ronan Bennett earned recognition for his work on The Day of the Jackal, while Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson were nominated for their contribution to Blue Lights. Additionally, Northern Ireland Screen-funded The Flats, directed by Alessandra Celesia received a nomination for the George Morrison Feature Documentary award.
In addition to his nomination for Supporting Actor for his role in Master of the Air, Anthony Boyle has also been nominated for Lead Actor for his powerful performance in Say Nothing. His co-star, Lola Petticrew, received a nomination for Lead Actress. The success of Say Nothing is part of a broader recognition of Northern Irish talent this year. Michael Smiley earned a Supporting Actor nomination for his role in the critically acclaimed comedy-drama Bad Sisters. Meanwhile, Ciarán Hinds and Roisin Gallagher were nominated for Lead Actor and Lead Actress, respectively, for their work in The Dry.
Additionally, Northern Irish talent received nominations in the Original Music category, with Die Hexen (Fréwaka) and David Holmes (The Apprentice) earning accolades for their compositions.
The Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) has announced that iconic Irish actor Colm Meaney will be honoured with the Irish Academy Award for his Lifetime Achievement, and for his outstanding contribution to the Irish and international screen industry.
Meaney will be presented with the Award in the presence of industry colleagues, friends and family, at the upcoming 22nd Anniversary IFTA Awards Ceremony, which will take place on Friday, February 14th at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre.
The full list of nominations for the IFTA 2025 Awards can be found on their website.
