Brian produced,conducted and arranged the music for awards ceremony which featured the RTE Concert Orchestra and special guests.
Record Ratings for the 10th IFTA Awards Ceremony
The 10th annual Irish Film & Television Awards (IFTAs) ceremony was watched by over 1.2 million viewers on Saturday 9th February, making it the highest rated IFTA Awards Ceremony to date. The show, which broadcast primetime on RTÉ One last Saturday February 9, gained 40% of the total viewership on Saturday night, across all channels with the 1.2 million viewers averaging out to just under 600,000 viewers across the 2 hour show.
Held in the Convention Centre Dublin, Simon Delaney presented the show for the third time running. Previous Hosts of the IFTAs were also in attendance including the very first Host James Nesbitt, who presented the first three IFTAs, and Victoria Smurfit who is the only female Host to date. The 10th year Ceremony focussed very much on celebrating the home industry and as a true mark of respect, the Academy paid tribute to colleagues who had passed over the 10 years with a poignant visual Memoriam which received a prolonged standing ovation from attending guests in the auditorium. It was accompanied by internationally renowned Violin Soloist Aoife Ní Bhriain and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, who performed a specially composed Lament by Golden Globe Nominee Brian Byrne.
Minister for Arts, Jimmy Deenihan TD said at the Ceremony:“We can take great pride in the efforts of our filmmakers and the great stories they have worked so hard to bring to our screens, for our education and entertainment; And now more than ever, the film industry has a vital role in our economy, in job creation and in projecting a vibrant, and modern image of Ireland to a global audience”.
James Hickey the Chief Executive of the Irish Film Board, commenting on the figures,, “The IFTAs are a wonderful showcase for Irish film, and the huge success of the event on RTÉ Television demonstrates the Irish audiences’ enthusiasm for celebrating Irish creative talent in Film.”
Glen Killane, Managing Director, RTÉ Television said; “RTÉ as the national public service broadcaster is continually investing in developing and nourishing creative talent in Ireland. The fact that audiences tuned in to the IFTAs in such numbers is testament to their appetite to celebrate Irish talent and to engage with Irish content”.
Andrew Lowe, Chair of the Audiovisual Federation and Company Director / Producer at Element Pictures, said, “We want to congratulate IFTA on their fantastic ratings for the show on Saturday night. The IFTAs have established themselves as a key platform to promote Irish Film and Television talent to Irish audiences. We’re particularly pleased for the terrific results for What Richard Did, Mea Maxima Culpa, Shadow Dancer and Ripper Street, all of which picked up awards on the night.”
Chief Executive of IFTA, Áine Moriarty commented:“This 10th Year has marked a milestone for Ireland and specifically for the home industry and we really just want to thank Irish audiences for tuning-in to watch in such high numbers and for showing the support for home-grown talent – that’s what it’s all about!”
ADDITIONAL QUOTES FROM PEOPLE ATTENDING THE CEREMONY:
Amy Huberman “Really looking forward to tonight, it’s always a night of high glamour and excitement”
Gerard Barrett (IFB Rising Star Award Recipient) “It’s crazy and mental but it’s lovely, I just hope whoever is watching the show - if they have a story to tell, that they can go out and tell it themselves...and something like this can happen.”
Fionnula Flanagan: “I’m presenting an Award tonight - it’s lovely to be included in the family of IFTA. I think is so important to have this kind of support for young filmmakers and seasoned filmmakers – it’s a wonderful thing.”
Jack Reynor: “It’s been an amazing year for me. I think the IFTAs are hugely important; that we recognize our own talent in this country. I don’t think that worldwide we’re as recognized as we should be; we don’t focus enough on exporting our arts as much as we should so it’s great to come together for a night like this and to see Irish film really recognised.”
Chris O’Dowd: “This is a very small country, and the amount of an incredible artists, writers and actors that come from here is astounding and to get all of them into one room to go ‘well done us’ is terrific.” It’s a big night, and it’s really exciting...I’m delighted.”
Lenny Abrahamson “It’s lovely to have your peers give you an award like this, it means a lot that people you know or respect in the industry like what you’re doing”
Jim Sheridan: “IFTA? It’s got bigger and better and I hope it keeps going that way!”
Saoirse Ronan: “There’s a lot of great actors coming out of Ireland – it’s very exciting and it’s great to be a part of it. It’s very important. I think it’s just good for your head to get home. And to be here - the very important the fact that everyone knows each other is lovely, we’re all able to relax when we’re here - it’s not like other Awards shows.”
Domhnall Gleeson “It’s lovely that we are all here hanging out it’s a good night for Irish film.”
Robert Sheehan “Coming back for this show year after year has been a wonderful way to come back to Ireland.”
Amanda Byram “It’s a decade worth of support and just wonderful film and television. It’s very exciting to be Irish on a night like this”
James Nesbitt: “I’m a previous host and a previous winner, and I’m delighted to be back and to see how’s it’s all transformed and changed and developed – it’s wonderful.”
