Wolfwalkers and Normal People Win Big at the IFTAs

Animated feature Wolfwalkers and hit TV show Normal People were the big winners at this year's Irish Film & Television Academy Awards.

As with the 2020 edition, this year's ceremony was held virtually with Gráinne Seoige on hosting duties. That didn't stop the awards from attracting some big name guests, with the likes of Mark Hamill, Colin Farrell, Olivia Colman, Travis Fimmel, Orla Brady, Jason O’Mara, Sarah Bolger and Josh Brolin appearing.

Wolfwalkers became only the second animated feature to win Best Film, following Song of the Sea in 2015. Both movies are products of Kilkenny's Cartoon Saloon.

Presenting the award, Josh Brolin spoke of his relationship with Ireland. "My own story with Ireland is that at 20 years old I was in Dublin, and I blindly walked into a theatre on a movie called My Left Foot  and left a changed man. With the rest of my very little money that same trip, I saw the Cusacks do The Three Sisters at the Gate Theatre and was again changed. I also read A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man that same trip. Ireland has had a massive impact on me, so I just wanted to say congratulations to all the nominees because I know how tough it is to manifest an idea into film."

Normal People was successful in nine of its 15 nominated categories, including Best Drama, Best Actor Drama for Paul Mescal and Best Director Drama for Lenny Abrahamson. The director accepted his award from guest presenter Deirdre O'Kane on the set of Normal People follow-up Conversations with Friends. Accepting his award, 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."

Cathy Brady won the Best Director Film award for Northern Ireland set drama Wildfire, with Colin Farrell presenting from Los Angeles. "I’m so proud to see such great Irish directing talent nominated here tonight. All of them fearless and determined artists, sharing a bold new vision for Irish Cinema," Farrell beamed.

"Can I say a big, huge thanks to Nika (McGuigan) and Nora-Jane (Noone), the beating heart of this film. You made me the best director, and this is for you. I’m so proud and you are my forever dream team," Brady said in praise of her leading ladies.

Wildfire lead Nika McGuigan, who sadly passed away while the film was in post-production, was posthumously awarded with the Best Actress Film honour. 

Accepting the award on their late daughter's behalf, Nika's father, former boxer Barry McGuigan, and her mother Sandra said "Nika’s performance speaks for herself. It is the culmination of years of hard work. Nika tirelessly grafted to become the best actor she could be and in Wildfire she found a vehicle that let her express herself artistically like she had never been able to do before. It is tragic that Nika did not get to show the world more of her endless talent, but this award and its recognition of her brilliant performance would have meant everything to Danika."

For his role in Death of a Ladies' Man, Gabriel Byrne won Best Actor Film, calling his win "a real shock."

Similarly shocked was Nicola Coughlan, who was honoured with the Screen Ireland IFTA Rising Star Award for her performance in Netflix's costume drama Bridgerton. "Hearing Luke Skywalker say my name is such a shock!" she exclaimed upon receiving the award from Star Wars actor Mark Hamill.

The full list of winners is below:

Best Film
Wolfwalkers
 
Director Film
Cathy Brady - Wildfire
 
Script Film
Clare Dunne & Malcom Campbell - Herself
 
Actor in a Lead Role - Film
Gabriel Byrne – Death of a Ladies’ Man
 
Actress in a Lead Role – Film
Nika McGuigan - Wildfire
 
Actor in a Supporting Role - Film
Barry Ward – Dating Amber
 
Actress in a Supporting Role - Film
Sharon Horgan – Dating Amber
 
Rising Star
Nicola Coughlan
 
George Morrison Feature Documentary
Breaking Out
 
Drama
Normal People
 
Director Drama
Lenny Abrahamson – Normal People
 
Script Drama
Sally Rooney – Normal People
 
Actor in a Lead Role - Drama
Paul Mescal – Normal People
 
Actress in a Lead Role - Drama
Dervla Kirwan – Smother
 
Actor in a Supporting Role – Drama
Fionn O’Shea – Normal People
 
Actress in a Supporting Role – Drama
Sarah Greene – Normal People
 
Short Film
Rough
 
Short Animation
Her Song
 
Cinematography
Kate McCullough – Normal People
 
Editing
Úna Ní Dhonghaíle – Misbehaviour
 
Production Design
Lucy van Lonkhuyzen – Normal People
 
Costume
Leonie Prendergast – Gretel & Hansel
 
Hair & Makeup
Linda Gannon Foster & Liz Byrne - Gretel & Hansel
 
Original Score
Aza Hand – Son
 
Sound Design
Steve Fanagan, Niall Brady, & Niall O Sullivan – Normal People
 
VFX
Ed Bruce & Robert Hartigan - Kidding