Local Screen Stars Battle For IFTAs

Well-known local faces from the world of TV and cinema are looking ahead to a prestigious awards presentation next month.

Among the big names nominated for a gong at the Irish Film and Television Awards (IFTAs) are Belfast actors Ciaran Hinds and Stephen Rea. They are on the shortlist for best actor award, with the Irish Film Academy having just announced the shortlist of nominees in various strongly contested categories for the 7th annual IFTA's presentation.

Taking place on Saturday 20th February at the Burlington Hotel, Dublin, there is a strong field of nominations in 37 categories across film and TV, all celebrating the highest standard of Irish talent over the past 12 months.

Academy Chief Executive Officer, Aine Moriarty said: "It's a tremendous line-up of strong, diverse Irish production for IFTA 2010 and the Nominees' showcase of work reinforces the fact that Ireland has a superb resource of creative talent, despite the difficult Irish economic year and the knock-on effect to our creative industries.

"The Academy is proud to give due recognition to home-grown Irish talent for their creative achievements both at home and abroad."

All of the categories have been shortlisted by Academy Members and Jury panels of experts from around the world.

Hinds and Rea will face competition from Colin Farrell for the film, Ondine and Darren Healy for Savage.

Ballymena-born Liam Neeson has been nominated for best actor in a television drama for his part in the BBC drama, Five Minutes of Heaven.

Actress Michelle Fairley from Coleraine is shortlisted for a television award for BBC NI's His Mother's Son.

Two films, Neil Jordan's Ondine and Conor McPherson's supernatural thriller, The Eclipse dominate are also among nominations for movies with the two films receiving a total of five nominations, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Script.

See: Irish TV And Film Nominations Revealed

(BMcC/GK)