Derry born actress/producer Roma Downey
Rough, a short film about Belfast gangsters passing a death sentence on a dog picked up the Best Short Film Award.
The Derry woman, who was the film’s executive producer, said she was ‘proud’ to be associated with the production.
She added: “I really responded to the story of how one man’s love for his little dog reminds us all of our own humanity.
“The film is made with warmth and humour and I am so happy for our talented team to pick up this prestigious award.”
Rough was written and directed by former BBC journalist and presenter Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson and produced by Gallagher Films.
Declan Lawn tweeted earlier: “Thank you @IFTA. Adam and I are blown away by this. Massive thanks to
@RealRomaDowney, @NIScreen, @gallagherfilms1, @GreenRayAgency and all of the cast and crew.”
It is Rough’s third industry award, having previously won best short film at the Krakow Film Festival and the Kerry International Film Festival.
Starring Ryan McParland, Michael Smiley, Gerard Jordan, Peter Heenan, Brendan Quinn, Andrew McGarrigle and Kelly the terrier, Rough is also about truth-telling and forgiveness and how in an absurd world of obscene power, unthinking violence and masculinity gone wrong, the truth can – just once in a while, set us all free.
Normal People was the big winner at the virtual Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) Film & Drama Awards on Sunday night, taking home honours in nine categories.
Normal People’s wins included Best Drama, Lead Actor – Drama for Paul Mescal, Director – Drama for Lenny Abrahamson and Script – Drama for Sally Rooney. Normal People had led the shortlist with 15 nominations.
Speaking after his win, Paul Mescal said: “I am absolutely thrilled. It’s amazing to be nominated with such fantastic actors.
“It has been a journey of over a year now that has utterly changed my life.”
He also paid tribute to his co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones, describing her as “one of the most incredible actresses working in our industry”.
Normal People’s Sarah Greene and Fionn O’Shea won the Supporting Actress and Actor – Drama awards, respectively.
There were also Normal People wins for Cinematography (Kate McCullough), Sound Design (Steve Fanagan, Niall Brady and Niall O’Sullivan) and Production Design (Lucy van Lonkhuyzen).
In the film categories, Wolfwalkers – the Oscar-nominated animated adventure from Kilkenny’s Cartoon Saloon – was named Best Film.
Nika McGuigan was posthumously honoured with the Lead Actress – Film award for her performance in Wildfire. The director of Wildfire, Cathy Brady, won the Director – Film award.
Gabriel Byrne won Lead Actor – Film for Death of a Ladies Man, describing his win as “a real shock”.
Nicola Coughlan receives her Rising Star award
Other winners in the film categories included Clare Dunne and Malcolm Campbell for their script for Herself, and Dating Amber stars Sharon Horgan and Barry Ward, who won Supporting Actress and Actor, respectively.
The virtual awards, hosted by Gráinne Seoige, were shown on Virgin Media One.
Among the presenters joining the award winners and nominees remotely were Oscar winner Olivia Colman, Golden Globe winner Colin Farrell and Star Wars actor Mark Hamill.
The winners in full:
Best Film
Wolfwalkers
Director – Film
Cathy Brady – Wildfire
Script – Film
Clare Dunne & Malcolm Campbell – Herself
Lead Actor – Film
Gabriel Byrne – Death of a Ladies Man
Lead Actress – Film
Nika McGuigan – Wildfire
Supporting Actor – Film
Barry Ward – Dating Amber
Supporting Actress – Film
Sharon Horgan – Dating Amber
Rising Star
Nicola Coughlan
Best Drama
Normal People
Director – Drama
Lenny Abrahamson – Normal People
Script – Drama
Sally Rooney – Normal People
Lead Actor – Drama
Paul Mescal – Normal People
Lead Actress – Drama
Dervla Kirwan – Smother
Supporting Actor – Drama
Fionn O’Shea – Normal People
Supporting Actress – Drama
Sarah Greene – Normal People
Feature Documentary
Breaking Out
Short Film
Rough
Short Animation
Her Song
Cinematography
Kate McCullough – Normal People
Costume
Leonie Prendergast – Gretel & Hansel
Editing
Úna Ní Dhonghaíle – Misbehaviour
Production Design
Lucy van Lonkhuyzen – Normal People
Sound
Steve Fanagan, Niall Brady & Niall O’Sullivan – Normal People
Make Up & Hair
Linda Gannon Foster & Liz Byrne – Gretel & Hansel
Score
Aza Hand – Son
VFX
Ed Bruce & Robert Hartigan – Kidding.
