The 2022 Irish Film London Awards took place at a private reception in the ballroom of the Embassy of Ireland in London on Monday evening with the best of this year’s Irish films represented. Nominated films came from the extensive programme for Irish Film Festival London 2022, and included new releases Aisha from director Frank Berry and starring Letitia Wright and Josh O’Connor, as well as Paul Mescal vehicle Aftersun. The Awards ceremony is an annual event organised by the not-for-profit film culture organisation Irish Film London and exists to celebrate the best new Irish film with a ceremony hosted by the Ambassador Martin Fraser.
Like previous years, this year’s awards categories include Best Feature Film, Best Documentary and Best Short Film, as well as the coveted Súil Eile award for contribution to Irish film and the Ros Hubbard Award for Acting, which is presented by the famous casting director herself.
This year’s nominated films and winners are
Best Feature Film
Aisha – dir Frank Berry
Róise & Frank – dirs Rachel Moriarty and Peter Murphy
The Cry of Granuaile – dir Dónal Foreman
WINNER: The Quiet Girl / An Cailín Ciúin – dir Colm Bairéad
Best Documentary
North Circular – dir Luke McManus
Out of Place – dir Graham Patterson
Paul Muldoon: Laoithe is Lirici – dir Alan Gilsenan
WINNER: How To Tell A Secret – dirs Anna Rodgers and Shaun Dunne
Best Short Film Award, sponsored by EVS Insurance
A Stone Place – dir James Skerritt
Bad Boy Buck – dir James Fitzgerald
Dash – dir Rory Fleck Byrne
Don’t Go Where I Can’t Find You – dir Rioghnach Ni Ghrioghair Nothing to Declare – dir Garret Daly
Wednesday’s Child – dir Laura O’Shea
WINNER: An Encounter – dir Kelly Campbell
The Súil Eile Award went to filmmaking duo Colm Bairéad and Cleona Ní Chrualaoi in recognition of the impact their film An Cailín Ciúin has had on the profile of Irish film in both the UK and further afield.
This year’s Ros Hubbard Award for Acting went to rising star Daryl McCormack, known for his roles in Good Luck To You Leo Grande, alongside Emma Thompson, and currently seen on TV in Sharon Horgan’s Bad Sisters.
After a busy festival week where audiences turned up in their 1000s to see Irish films across the city, these awards have allowed us to highlight some of the best work from Irish filmmakers this year. Congratulations to all the nominated filmmakers – it’s because of the incredibly high standard of work these filmmakers have delivered that events like this are a success.
Gerry Maguire, Festival Director – IFFL
Irish Film Festival London screenings took place this year at cinemas across the city, including in Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Hammersmith’s Riverside Studios and the Bertha Dochouse in Bloomsbury.
More information on the nominated films and the entire festival programme can be found on the festival website at www.irishfilmlondon.com