Wins at IFTA, BAFTA and Critics Choice for Northern Ireland projects and talent
Date Posted: March 14, 2022
It was an award-winning weekend for Northern Ireland projects and talent as they collectively took home five IFTAs, one BAFTA and three Critics Choice Awards following star-studded ceremonies in Dublin (virtually), London and Los Angeles. We offer our huge congratulations to the teams behind Belfast, Young Plato and Nightride.
On Saturday evening Belfast native Ciarán Hinds won two IFTAs; one for Best Supporting Actor Drama for Kin and also for Best Supporting Actor Film for his role as Pop in Sir Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast.
Hinds praised Kenneth Branagh’s script and film for reconnecting him to his roots: “This film Ken wrote touched me very deeply. As much as the story was of Ken’s childhood it was also the story of my childhood, and the people I knew, and the community and the wonderful, wry-humoured, stoic people of the north of Ireland.
The screenplay that so touched Hinds won Branagh the award for Best Script Film.
Branagh said; “My homeland gave me a hell of a story to tell and has been very patient in waiting for 50 years until I could tell it. People from up and down the island have responded with such deep-hearted appreciation to a story that it seems many of us share through our very own family experiences. I am deeply grateful for this recognition and would also like to salute my fellow nominees and their incredible work. What an honour to have been in their company. Thank you cinema-goers of Ireland and thank you IFTA.”
Oscar-winning documentarian Michael Moore (Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11) presented the George Morrison Feature Documentary Award to Young Plato, which was accepted by co-director Declan McGrath. Young Plato charts the dream of Ardoyne Headmaster Kevin McArevey and his dedicated visionary team, illustrating how Philosophy, critical thinking, and pastoral care can empower and encourage children to see beyond the boundaries and limitations of their own community.
Moe Dunford won the IFTA for Best Lead Actor Film for his role in Stephen FIngleton’s Nigthride. The film was shot in Belfast in ‘one single take’, and sees Dunford as a small-time criminal, trying to pull off one last drug deal with cash he borrowed from a dangerous loan shark.
On Sunday evening BAFTA nominees and guests attended an in-person ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall hosted by Rebel Wilson where Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast picked up the award for Outstanding British Film.
Branagh said: “A black-and-white film about The Troubles hadn’t been an easy pitch to make to potential funders.” But he had words of encouragement for other filmmakers. “Please remember that if you build it, they will come. Build it with passion, build it with truth. Believe in the originality and uniqueness of your story and your voice and believe in the imagination of the public to embrace every and any kind of story well told.”
On the other side of the Atlantic the Critics Choice Awards took place in Los Angeles. Belfast picked up Awards for Best Original Screenplay, Best Acting Ensemble and 11 year old Jude Hill from Gilford won Best Young Actor.
In accepting the cast prize, Jamie Dornan said: “As someone from Belfast, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of telling a story about a place that people don’t really have a big idea about, talking about the real people from that place, not seeing it from a politicized lens or a military lens, which is often the case in Belfast. Seeing it through the eyes of family, something we can all relate to and we need to relate to at the moment particularly with Ukraine and the families that are going through the hardship.”
Belfast and Young Plato are currently in cinemas, Nightride is streaming on Netflix.
The full lists of winners can be found via the links below:
