9th Annual Irish Film and Television Awards Takes Place Feb. 11th

IRISH FILM & TELEVISION AWARDS - ALL EYES ON THE EMERALD ISLE - 11th February 2012

Michael Fassbender, Brendan Gleeson, Chris O’Dowd, Dana Delany, AJ Buckley, Armand Assante, Stephen Rea, Brenda Fricker, Maria Doyle Kennedy and more at the Irish Film & Television Awards

(Dublin Ireland) – February 10, 2012: Ireland’s finest screen creative talent descend this weekend on Dublin, Saturday 11th of February 2012, for the 9th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards celebrations, taking place at the spectacular Convention Centre Dublin (CCD).

The President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins leads the celebrations, showcasing Ireland’s screen talent with IFTA Awards presented in categories across film and television. IFTA 2012 will see Ireland’s directors, writers, actors, craftspeople and television programme makers in attendance.

Guests scheduled to attend include Brendan Gleeson (The Guard), Michael Fassbender (Shame), Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids), Brenda Fricker (Albert Nobbs), Brían F. O'Byrne (Mildred Pierce, Prime Suspect), Stephen Rea (Underworld Awakening), Ruth Negga (Shirley, Misfits), Maria Doyle Kennedy (The Tudors, Albert Nobbs), Liam Cunningham (The Guard), Emmett J. Scanlan (Charlie Casanova), Amy Huberman (Threesome, Stella Days), Brendan O’Carroll (Mrs Brown’s Boys), Antonia Campbell Hughes (Lead Balloon), Colin Morgan (Merlin), Martin McCann (The Pacific), Charlene McKenna (RAW), Olivia Tracey (Agnes Browne), Allen Leech (Downton Abbey), Pat Shortt (Garage), Marcella Plunkett (Stella Days), Bronagh Gallagher (Albert Nobbs).

Veteran Irish actress Fionnula Flanagan (Some Mother’s Son, The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood, LOST) is to receive Lifetime Achievement Award from the Irish Academy on the night and international guests presenting top Awards include Dana Delany (Desperate Housewives), Armand Assante (Gotti) and AJ Buckley (CSI NY).

Hosted by Simon Delaney (The Good Wife) the Irish Film & Television Awards show will broadcast primetime on Irish television RTÉ One at 9.40pm GMT.

Speaking ahead of the 9th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards this weekend, IFTA Chief Executive Áine Moriarty said: “Despite economic setbacks, Ireland can be proud of its creative talent who continue to deliver world class production, entertaining audiences both at home and around the world. The 9th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards promises to be a terrific evening of entertainment for the viewers at home, and a very special night of celebration for the 2012 nominees and Ireland’s film and television industry.”