Irish Academy crowns 'Song Of The Sea'

Tomm Moore animation Song Of The Sea has been named Best Film at the 12th IFTA Awards for Film and Drama in Dublin.

The film about a little girl who can turn into a seal was Oscar nominated earlier this year, missing out to Big Hero 6.

But the Irish Film and Television Academy chose it above nominees Frank, Glassland, I Used To Live Here, Noble and Patrick’s Day.

Comedy Frank, starring Michael Fassbender, won three awards including best director for Lenny Abrahamson, best supporting actor for Domhnall Gleeson and best director of photography for James Mather.

Family drama Patrick’s Day also scored a hat-trick, winning best actor for Moe Dunford, best script for writer-director Terry McMahon and best sound.

Biopic Noble, directed by Stephen Bradley, won best actress for Deirdre O’Kane and best supporting actress for Sarah Greene, who was also named Irish Film Board Rising Star.

Christina Noble, the Irish humanitarian whose life inspired the film, was also the subject of this year’s IFTA documentary winner In A House That Ceased To Be.

In the international categories, Richard Linklater’s Boyhood was named best film; Julianne Moore was named best actree for Still Alice; and Eddie Redmayne was named best actor for The Theory Of Everything, which also won best production design.

As previously announced, filmmaker Jim Sheridan was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Sean Bean, for his 30-year career that includes My Left Foot, The Boxer, In America, In the Name of the Father, The Field, Brothers and Some Mother’s Son.

Also acknowledged on the night was the success of Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Lobster, co-produced by Ireland’s Element Pictures, which won the Jury Prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

FULL IFTA 2015 WINNERS’ LIST

Best Film: Song of the Sea

Best Director Film: Lenny Abrahamson for Frank

Best Script Film: Terry McMahon for Patrick’s Day

Irish Film Board Rising Star: Sarah Greene

Best Lead Actor Film: Moe Dunford for Patrick’s Day

Best Lead Actress Film: Deirdre O’Kane for Noble

Best Supporting Actor Film: Domhnall Gleeson for Frank

Best Supporting Actress Film: Sarah Greene for Noble

George Morrison Feature Documentary: In A House That Ceased To Be

Best Animation Short: Somewhere Down The Line

Best Short Film: Rockmount

Best Drama: Love/Hate

Best Director Drama: Ciaran Donnelly for Vikings

Best Script Drama: Stuart Carolan for Love/Hate

Best Lead Actor Drama: Aidan Gillen for Charlie

Best Lead Actress Drama: Charlie Murphy for Love/Hate

Best Supporting Actor Drama: Stephen Rea for The Honourable Woman

Best Supporting Actress Drama: Aisling Franciosi for The Fall

Best Director of Photography: James Mather for Frank

Best Costume Design: Lorna Marie Mugan for Peaky Blinders

Best Editing: Emer Reynolds for One Million Dubliners

Best M.A.C. Make-Up and Hair: Vikings

Best Original Score: Stephen McKeon for Queen and Country

Best Production Design: John Paul Kelly for The Theory of Everything

Best Sound: Patrick’s Day

Best International Film: Boyhood

Best International Actor: Eddie Redmayne for The Theory of Everything

Best International Actress: Julianne Moore for Still Alice