Oscar-nominated director Lenny Abrahamson and Irish musician Niall Breslin, known as Bressie, have received Honorary Fellow Awards from the Institute of Art, Design + Technology (IADT).
The award of Honorary Fellow is a mark of distinction that IADT makes to a person in recognition of their distinguished record and close association with IADT.
Lenny Abrahamson has been a great supporter and friend of IADT for more than a decade. He receives the award today for his outstanding contribution to the Irish arts and Film industry in Ireland. Abrahamson was born in Dublin in 1966. After graduating in philosophy (1st class Hons, Gold Medal) he directed the short film 3 Joes which won the Best European Short Film award at the 1991 Cork Film Festival. In 2015 he directed the film adaptation of Emma Donoghue’s novel, Room (2015), for which he received his first Academy Award nomination.
Niall Breslin, a graduate of IADT, receives the award for bringing to the fore of the public agenda the issue of positive mental health. Breslin is an Irish musician and former Westmeath Gaelic footballer and Leinster rugby player, representing Ireland at Under-21 level in the Rugby World Cup. He found success as the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter with pop band The Blizzards, as a co-writer and producer with XIX Entertainment, and as a solo artist and music producer. His work in the area of mental health education and empowerment began two years ago, after his own struggles led him to open up publicly on the issue.
IADT is Ireland’s only Institute of art, design and technology with a specific focus on the creative cultural and technological sectors. Programmes in both the Faculty of Film, Art + Creative Technologies and the Faculty of Enterprise + Humanities are unique in that they combine practical, transferrable skills with academic learning. Our mission is to continue to specialise in creativity and innovation and to work with learners and stakeholders as partners to develop graduates who are innovative, creative, entrepreneurial and adaptable, and who are ready to meet the challenges of the digital age.