Simon Delaney to Host the 8th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards
The Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) is delighted to announce Irish actor Simon Delaney will host the 8th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards.
The Awards Ceremony will broadcast LIVE on RTÉ One from Dublin's spectacular new Convention Centre on Saturday 12th of February 2011 at 9.30pm GMT.
Star of the screen and stage, Simon Delaney follows in the footsteps of other Irish actors, Victoria Smurfit and James Nesbitt, and broadcaster Ryan Tubridy who have previously hosted the Irish Film & Television Awards show - the highlight of Ireland's entertainment calendar.
CEO of the Irish Film & Television Academy, Áine Moriarty, welcomed Simon to the Awards team by saying: "The Academy is delighted to introduce Simon as our Host for the IFTA Awards Ceremony 2011. As one of our Academy Members, Simon Delaney is an incredibly talented and widely respected Irish actor in both film and television. With his dramatic, comedic and musical flair, Simon is well-loved by his peers for his wholehearted engagement in any role he takes on, displaying a versatility on screen that marks a true performer. This year's Awards Ceremony is already shaping up to be a vibrant and entertaining evening with Simon at the helm...and he's got some fun surprises up his sleeve!"
Commenting on the announcement the new IFTA host Simon Delaney said:
"As someone who has worked as an actor in Ireland for twelve years, to be hosting the industry's biggest night is a huge honour and privilege. To be involved in recognising and awarding people who are at the top of their game is very humbling and I look forward to an evening of great celebration on February 12th."
Simon Delaney is best known for his role in the award-winning comedy drama, Bachelors Walk, for which he received two Irish Film and Television Awards Best Actor nominations. He received two other IFTA nominations in 2004 and 2010 for his performances in Pulling Moves (BBC) and the feature Happy Ever Afters respectively.
Theatre credits include Stones in His Pockets (Charlie Conlon), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (R.P McMurphy), Glengarry Glenross (Richard Roma), The Odd Couple (Oscar Madison), and Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Le Vicomte de Valmonte).
The 8th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards, will honour the finest work produced by Irish screen talent in the past twelve months. The nominees in 37 IFTA Award categories were announced in early January and amongst the 2011 shortlist are: Irish actors Brendan Gleeson, Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Farrell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Saoirse Ronan, Cillian Murphy, Colm Meaney, Stephen Rea, Sarah Bolger, Kerry Condon, Orla Brady, Amy Huberman, Ruth McCabe, Domhnall Gleeson & Dervla Kirwan; directors Juanita Wilson, PJ Dillon, Ian Power, Tom Hall, Thaddeus O'Sullivan, Dearbhla Walsh, David Caffrey, Robert Quinn and behind the scenes crew Mark O'Rowe (writer), Conor McDermottroe (writer/director), Joan Bergin (costume designer), Gary Lightbody (composer), Consolata Boyle (costume designer), Tom Conroy (production designer) and Tim Fleming (DOP) amongst many others.
IFTA 2011 also will see Irish producer Morgan O'Sullivan receive the Outstanding Contribution to Industry Award, a tribute to his influence on the Irish film industry with credits including The Tudors, Camelot, Braveheart, King Arthur, Reign of Fire, P.S. I Love You and The Count of Monte Cristo.
The 8th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards will take place at the CCD on Saturday, 12 February 2011. The ceremony will broadcast live on RTÉ One at 9.05pm.