‘Freeze Frame’ sweeps the board at the Irish Film & Television Awards

The NIFTC have announced that two NIFTC-financed productions, the feature film ‘Freeze Frame’, starring British comedian Lee Evans, and documentary ‘Battle Of The Bogside’, which looks ‘behind the barricades' at the riots that took place in Derry in August 1969, both walked away with awards at the recent Irish Film and Television Awards.
The ceremony, which took place in the Burlington Hotel in Dublin on Saturday October 30 saw Freeze Frame not only pick up more awards than any other entrant but it also winning every category for which it was nominated. Ashleigh Jeffers won for Best Production Design, Mark Garrett won for Best Cinematography and John Simpson picked up the award for Best New Talent - which was co-sponsored by the NIFTC and Irish Film Board.
Perfect Cousin’s Battle Of The Bogside took the award for Best Documentary, a category that was dominated by Northern Irish talent. Four of the six documentaries were from Northern Ireland's production companies including Mint Productions and DoubleBand.
Best Supporting Actress in Film/Television went to Northern Ireland’s Susan Lynch for her role in ‘16 Years Of Alcohol’ and Ciaran Hinds, took the award for Best Actor in a television drama for ‘The Mayor Of Casterbridge’. Best Actor in a Feature Film was Tyrone's Gerard McSorley for his performance in ‘Omagh’ who dedicated his award to the families of the victims of the Omagh Bombing.
Michael Casey, Producer of Freeze Frame, said: “Parallel World Productions and Wildfire Films are delighted with the triple success of Freeze Frame at this year's Irish Film & Television Awards. The awards represent a wonderful individual and collective achievement. The unique world created by John and realised in conjunction with Mark, Ashleigh and an exceptional cast and crew, is something that everyone involved can be extremely proud of. To achieve such recognition in the face of genuinely strong competition is an honour indeed. Particular thanks go to the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission, the Irish Film Board and Universal Pictures for their backing and support in bringing such an original and accomplished film to the screen.”
The NIFTC's Chief Executive Richard Williams said: "This was a fantastic night for Northern Ireland and the NIFTC. Northern Ireland's creative talent from both in front and behind the cameras has been recognised on an unprecedented level. The NIFTC are proud to be associated with the IFTAs and delighted for the cast and crew of Freeze Frame and Battle Of The Bogside."
(GB)