Events: Irish Film and Television Awards
The rather fancy Irish Film and Television Academy Awards hit Dublin this weekend, showcasing a year’s worth of talent from both home and abroad and giving a well-deserved pat on the back to a frankly brilliant year for Irish TV and Film. However, we know times are hard out there so if you plan to make a trip to the bookies in order to bet on your favorites, here is my guide to whose name you will hear the most on the night.
Michael Fassbender
2011 could of been renamed ‘The Year of The Fass’ (screenwriters, you’re welcome to pen that, by the way) as the German / Killarney boy seemed to become the coolest man on the planet. He could be seen popping up as everything from romantic Bronte leading man to future baddie Magneto in X-Men. However it was with his performance in Shame that he really got everyone talking. Nominated in the Best Actor category for his heartbreaking sex addicted Brandon Sullivan, it would have simple to play him as a sort of villain but Fassbender utterly nails it, one hundred percent. With the recent disappointment that came with the lack of an Oscar nomination, IFTA may be looking to give one of the best actors out there today a hug from his own. After seeing Shame, the lad may need it.
Look for him to win in:
Best Actor
The Guard
Possibly the safest bet in an awards ceremony since Mr. Cameron was shouting about being “King of the world!”, The Guard will surely win something. Nominated in seven different categories including Best Film, Best Actor and Best Director and loved by audiences and critics on both sides of the pond, surely the carpet will take a beating from the all walking up and down to the stage the crew will need to do. Brendan Gleeson himself is not just nominated as Best Actor for his work as everyone’s favorite confused-about-drug-dealers guard but also in the Best Supporting category for Albert Nobbs, the film that of course represents the biggest threat to The Guard’s victory party at the end of the night. I, however, would genuinely love to see it scoop the Best Film gong.
Look for The Guard to win in:
Best Film
Best Director
Best Supporting Actress
Love / Hate
RTÉ’s gangland drama really stepped it up upon its return last year and has been rewarded with a bucket load of nominations. The show shines in, amongst others, Best Drama, Best Television Actor and both Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress. The best supporting actor in question is the rather brilliantly talented Robert Sheehan who, having made more a name for himself in Ireland than the recession, is also up for the Rising Star. Look to this to fill your IFTA betting slip, it has to do well.
Look for it to win in:
Best Drama
Best Director of Television
Lead Actor TV
Actor Support TV
Actress Support TV
And Finally
I have a proper sense of Irish pride for this one, if Úna Ní Dhonghaíle wins for her work in Doctor Who I will high five every person in Ireland. Believe me.
The Irish Film and Television Academy Awards take place this Saturday and can be seen on RTE 1 live from 9.25.
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