Irish Minister Congratulates Mel Gibson & IFTA Winners as 621,000 Tune in
Dublin, Ireland, March 01, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Ireland's Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Séamus Brennan T.D. today congratulated Mel Gibson and the 37 winners of Irish Film & Television Awards in Dublin at the weekend, while 621,000 people tuned in to watch the IFTAs on RTÉ Television.
The Irish Film and Television Awards were held on 17 February 2008. Guests attending the show included Irish talent Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Colin Farrell, Colm Meaney, Michael Fassbender, Neil Jordan, Fionnula Flanagan, Elaine Cassidy, Victoria Smurfit, Lenny Abrahamson, Mark O’Halloran; and international guests included Mel Gibson, Bo Derek, John Corbett, Mary McDonnell, Kevin Dillon, Dominic Purcell, Ayden Callaghan and Rene Russo.
Presenting 37 awards to Ireland’s top names in the film and television arena, the IFTAs also presented renowned actor and filmmaker Mel Gibson with the Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema Award.
The awards show was a resounding hit with Irish audiences drawing 621,000* viewers. An average of 563,000 people tuned in over the 90 minute broadcast, recorded as live in Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre. On average, 41% of people watching television were tuned to the Irish Film and Television Awards on RTÉ One.
Arts Minister Seamus Brennan T.D. was among the esteemed guests at the ceremony, and today he praised the talented winners and Mel Gibson on their achievements.
“Congratulations to all the IFTA winners, who should enjoy this well-deserved recognition for their creative contributions to the Irish film and television industry. The Awards reflect the wonder poll of acting and technical talent we now have in the Irish film and television industries. My congratulations also to Mel Gibson on his well deserved honour from the Academy for his achievements in filmmaking both in front of and behind the camera. In 1994, Gibson’s ‘Braveheart’ showcased to the world what Ireland has to offer international filmmakers and we would be delighted to welcome him back to film in Ireland again. Awarding the achievements of our film and television industry is important to build awareness and deepen interest, involvement and opportunities in this cultural sector.”
Speaking after the show Mel Gibson commented; “I think these Awards create awareness and a pride, and it may spur young people to come up and try and achieve. The more work that happens, the more proficient they’ll get, and the more proficient they get, the more they can change the planet, you can change the world, you can change life with a work of art you know?” He added: “I met the Minister for the Arts this evening and he seems cut from the same cloth as Michael D. Higgins, who was here when I was here with Braveheart.”
* source A.C. Nielsen - based on quarter hour peak.
###
The Irish Film and Television Awards were held on 17 February 2008. Guests attending the show included Irish talent Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Colin Farrell, Colm Meaney, Michael Fassbender, Neil Jordan, Fionnula Flanagan, Elaine Cassidy, Victoria Smurfit, Lenny Abrahamson, Mark O’Halloran; and international guests included Mel Gibson, Bo Derek, John Corbett, Mary McDonnell, Kevin Dillon, Dominic Purcell, Ayden Callaghan and Rene Russo.
Presenting 37 awards to Ireland’s top names in the film and television arena, the IFTAs also presented renowned actor and filmmaker Mel Gibson with the Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema Award.
The awards show was a resounding hit with Irish audiences drawing 621,000* viewers. An average of 563,000 people tuned in over the 90 minute broadcast, recorded as live in Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre. On average, 41% of people watching television were tuned to the Irish Film and Television Awards on RTÉ One.
Arts Minister Seamus Brennan T.D. was among the esteemed guests at the ceremony, and today he praised the talented winners and Mel Gibson on their achievements.
“Congratulations to all the IFTA winners, who should enjoy this well-deserved recognition for their creative contributions to the Irish film and television industry. The Awards reflect the wonder poll of acting and technical talent we now have in the Irish film and television industries. My congratulations also to Mel Gibson on his well deserved honour from the Academy for his achievements in filmmaking both in front of and behind the camera. In 1994, Gibson’s ‘Braveheart’ showcased to the world what Ireland has to offer international filmmakers and we would be delighted to welcome him back to film in Ireland again. Awarding the achievements of our film and television industry is important to build awareness and deepen interest, involvement and opportunities in this cultural sector.”
Speaking after the show Mel Gibson commented; “I think these Awards create awareness and a pride, and it may spur young people to come up and try and achieve. The more work that happens, the more proficient they’ll get, and the more proficient they get, the more they can change the planet, you can change the world, you can change life with a work of art you know?” He added: “I met the Minister for the Arts this evening and he seems cut from the same cloth as Michael D. Higgins, who was here when I was here with Braveheart.”
* source A.C. Nielsen - based on quarter hour peak.
###
Contact
Irish Film & Television Academy
Tanya Warren
00353 1 6200811
www.ifta.ie
Tanya Warren
00353 1 6200811
www.ifta.ie
Contact
Categories