Top actors to hand out film awards
Two award winning actors are taking time out from filming in Dublin to present accolades at this year’s Irish Film and Television Awards.
Scottish actor Brian Cox, from Troy and The Bourne Identity, and British actor Damien Lewis, of Band of Brothers, will attend the glitzy ceremony, as will Hollywood star Lara Flynn Boyle.
Cox and Lewis are shooting a feature film The Escapist, a prison escape thriller set in the subterranean tunnels beneath London, around Dublin.
The film, directed by Rupert Wyatt, is scheduled to shoot in the capital for four weeks.
Aine Moriarty, chief executive of the awards, said: “We are delighted to welcome fine actors Brian Cox and Damian Lewis to present Awards at the IFTAs this week. Their participation is a wonderful addition to this great industry event.”
Brian Kirk’s Middletown received nine nominations in total out of the 32 categories for the awards ceremony which will take place in Dublin’s RDS on February 9.
The shortlist sees Breakfast on Pluto, The Wind That Shakes the Barley and Middletown, compete alongside Niall Heery’s Small Engine Repair and David Gleeson’s The Front Line in the Best Film category.
For the Best Actor award, Cork actor Murphy, is vying with Colin Farrell for his performance in Hollywood blockbuster Miami Vice, Pierce Brosnan in the Matador and Brendan Gleeson in Studs.
Other actors expected to attend Friday night’s ceremony in Dublin’s RDS include Pierce Brosnan, Gabriel Byrne, Liam Cunningham, Padraic Delaney, Stephen Rea and Gavin Friday, as well as directors Neil Jordan, Jim Sheridan and Ken Loach.
Actresses attending include nominee Fionnula Flanagan from Transamerica, Orla Brady of television hit Nip Tuck and guest Lara Flynn Boyle of Twin Peaks fame.
Other nominees attending include Eva Birthistle from Middletown, Ruth Bradley of Stardust and Legend, Orla Fitzgerald from the acclaimed hit The Wind That Shakes the Barley, Tina Kellegher of Showbands and Pauline McLynn from Father Ted.
Singer Sinead O’Connor, former Miss World Rosanna Davidson, author Cecelia Ahern, RTE’s Miriam O’Callaghan, Grainne Seoige, Kathryn Thomas and breakthrough nominee Lucy Kennedy are expected to strut their stuff on the red carpet.
James Nesbitt, who is currently shooting television drama Murphy’s Law around Dublin, has handed over his role as host to Ryan Tubridy.
Bob Geldof will be among the guests paying tribute to Gay Byrne as he receives his IFTA Lifetime Achievement Award.
