Posted: Wed., Feb. 18, 2009, 7:53pm PT

'Hunger,' history top Irish awards

'Tudors' also takes six prizes Saturday night

By Bobbie Whiteman

Helmer Steve McQueen's "Hunger," about IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands, and TV skein "The Tudors" were the big winners at the Irish Film and Television Awards gala in Dublin on Saturday evening, nabbing six prizes each.

"Hunger" was named best film, and also picked up honors for actor (Michael Fassbender), supporting actor (Liam Cunningham), original score, production design and sound.  Fassbender also won the Irish Film Board Rising Star award.

 "The Tudors" won for drama series/soap, director (Ciaran Donnelly), supporting actor TV (Peter O'Toole), supporting actress TV (Maria Doyle Kennedy), costume design, makeup and hair.

 "Kisses" helmer Lance Daly nabbed film director honors while Martin McDonagh received the script award for "In Bruges," which also received the IFTA for international film.   

Meryl Streep was named best international actress for her performance in "Mamma Mia!" and Robert Downey Jr won international actor honors for "Iron Man."

 President of Ireland Mary McAleese presented the lifetime contribution award to documentary filmmaker George Morrison.

 

FILM DRAMA CATEGORIES

Best film 
"Hunger," Laura Hastings-Smith, Robin Gutch (Blast! Films)

Director Film
Lance Daly, "Kisses" (Element Pictures Distribution)

Script Film
Martin McDonagh, "In Bruges" (Focus Features/Universal Pictures)

Actor in a Lead Role Film
Michael Fassbender, "Hunger" (Blast! Films)

Actress in a Lead Role Film
Eileen Walsh, "Eden" (Samson Films)

Actor in a Supporting Role Film
Liam Cunningham, "Hunger" (Blast! Films)

Actress in a Supporting Role Film
Saoirse Ronan, "Death Defying Acts" (Lionsgate UK)

George Morrison Feature Documentary Award
"Waveriders," Margo Harkin, Joel Conroy (Besom Prods)

International Film
"In Bruges" (Focus Features/Universal Pictures)

International Actor
Robert Downey Jr, "Iron Man" (Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment)

Best International Actress Award People's Choice
Meryl Streep, "Mamma Mia!"

TELEVISION DRAMA CATEGORIES

Single Drama / Drama Serial
"Whistleblower," Siobhan Bourke, Peter Norris, Kathryn Lennon, Lesley McKimm, Saffron Pictures / Newgrange Pictures (RT)

Drama Series / Soap
"The Tudors," Morgan O'Sullivan, World 2000 Entertainment (TV3, BBC)

Director Television
Ciaran Donnelly, "The Tudors," World 2000 Entertainment (TV3, BBC)

Script Television
Graham Linehan, "The I.T. Crowd" (talkbackTHAMES)

Actor in a Lead Role Television
Aidan Gillen, "The Wire," Warner Bros International Television Distribution (TG4)

Actress In a Lead Role Television
Charlene McKenna, "Raw," Ecosse Films  / Octagon Films (RT)

Actor in a Supporting Role Television
Peter O'Toole, "The Tudors," World 2000 Entertainment (TV3, BBC)

Actress in a Supporting Role Television
Maria Doyle Kennedy, "The Tudors," World 2000 Entertainment (TV3, BBC)

CRAFT / TECHNICAL CATEGORIES

Costume Design
Joan Bergin, "The Tudors" (World 2000 Entertainment)

Director of Photography
PJ Dillon, "32A" (Janey Pictures)

Editing
J. Patrick Duffner, "Kisses" (Element Pictures Distribution)

Make Up & Hair
Sharon Doyle & Dee Corcoran, "The Tudors" (World 2000 Entertainment)

Original Score
David Holmes, "Hunger" (Blast! Films)

Production Design
Tom McCullagh, "Hunger" (Blast! Films)

Sound
Ronan Hill & Mervyn Moore, "Hunger" (Blast! Films)

TELEVISION CATEGORIES

Children's/Youth Programme
"Aifric," Micheal O'Domhnaill, Telegael Media Group (TG4)

Current Affairs
"Cocaine (Prime Time Investigates)," Paul Loughlin / Sean Mac Giolla Phadraig, Keelin Shanley / Barry O'Kelly (RT)

Documentary Series
"Bertie," Steve Carson, Mint Productions (RT)

Single Documentary
"Cromwell In Ireland," Maurice Sweeney, Tile Films (RT)

Entertainment Programme
"The Apprentice," Larry Bass, Screentime Shinawil (TV3)

Factual Programme
"In The Name Of The Fada," Pat Comer, Peer Pressure Productions (RT)

Sport
"Troid Fhuilteach (A Bloody Canvas)," Andrew Gallimore, Fastnet Films, TG4

OTHERS

Animation
"Granny O'Grimm" (Brown Bag Films)

Special Irish Language
"In The Name Of The Fada," Pat Comer, Peer Pressure Productions (RT)