IFTAs announce Lead Actor nominations

The Irish Film & Television Academy has announced the nominations for the 2026 IFTA Awards, marking another remarkable year for Irish storytelling that has captivated audiences far beyond the island’s shores. After months of meticulous viewing and deliberation by Academy Members and expert juries, twenty-nine categories now stand ready to honor the exceptional achievements in Film and Drama that have defined the past twelve months, with Deloitte serving as the official vote scrutineer to ensure the integrity of the process.

The twenty-third anniversary IFTA Awards Ceremony will unfold on Friday, February 20th, 2026 at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre, where comedian, actor and broadcaster Kevin McGahern returns for his second consecutive year as host. The evening promises to be a gathering of Irish and international industry luminaries, a celebration not merely of individual accomplishments but of the artistic and technical brilliance that continues to position Ireland as a formidable force in global filmmaking. The ceremony will recognize both the craft that brings stories to life and the profound cultural impact these narratives carry across borders, reminding audiences worldwide of Ireland’s unique voice in contemporary cinema and television.

This year’s event holds particular significance as it will honor beloved actor Ciarán Hinds with the Lifetime Achievement Award, a tribute to his extraordinary contributions across decades of cinema and television work. His recognition stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Irish talent that has shaped the industry and inspired generations of storytellers. The nominations themselves reflect an unparalleled moment for Irish storytelling on the global stage, showcasing the depth and diversity of voices emerging from a nation that has always understood the power of a well-told tale. As the awards ceremony approaches, the anticipation builds not just for who will take home the honors, but for what these achievements signal about the future of Irish film and drama in an ever-evolving international landscape.

Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor are bringing something truly special to THE HISTORY OF SOUND 🎵✨

The two actors sang, reminisced, and opened up about this intimate musical journey. Recording onto actual wax cylinders gave them a tangible connection to their characters' world—the fragility of the medium mirrors the fragility of memory itself.

They revealed which Beatles song their characters would love and discussed the upcoming Beatles biopics. What emerges most powerfully is the chemistry between them—THE HISTORY OF SOUND is ultimately about how music becomes the language through which we express what words cannot capture 🎬🎶

#Ireland #Irish #Movies #Film #Television #TV #Cinema #Irishmovies #IrishFilm #IrishCinema #Actor #ActorsLife #IrishActor #PaulMescal #JoshOConnor #TheHistoryOfSound #IndieFilm #MovieNews #FilmLovers #CinemaLovers #MusicInFilm #PeriodDrama #BritishCinema #Acting #Cinephile #NewRelease #thebeatles

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Westeros is trading dragonfire for something a bit more human!

Set nearly a century before GAME OF THRONES, HBO’s latest venture into the world of Ice and Fire, A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS, is now on #HBO.

First look trailer at irishfilmtv.com.

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** NEW TRAILER ALERT **

Fresh off her 2026 Golden Globe win for HAMNET, Ireland's own Jessie Buckley delivers a career-defining performance in Maggie Gyllenhaal's audacious reimagining of a classic monster tale.

Set in gritty 1930s Chicago, THE BRIDE! transforms Frankenstein's silent companion into a revolutionary force of nature—murdered, resurrected, and absolutely refusing to play by anyone's rules.

Watch now at irishfilmtv.com.

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Lisa McGee (yes, the genius behind DERRY GIRLS) is back with HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST and it sounds absolutely unhinged in the best way possible.

Three childhood friends—chaotic TV writer Saoirse, stressed mum-of-three Robyn, and dependable Dara—reunite for the wake of their estranged fourth friend. What starts as a simple journey across Ireland quickly spirals into something darker when eerie events unfold and a buried childhood secret threatens to surface.

Mark your calendars for February 2026 because this Irish odyssey is going to be unmissable!

#Ireland #Irish #Movies #Film #Television #TV #Cinema #Irishmovies #IrishFilm #IrishCinema #Actor #ActorsLife #IrishActor #Netflix #NetflixSeries #LisaMcGee #DerryGirls #Belfast #ComediThriller #IrishDrama #IrishStories #MustWatch #ComingSoon #NewSeries #IrishWriters #IrishEntertainment #TVDrama #NetflixOriginal #BingeWorthy #IrishWomen

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Fresh from wrapping THE IMMORTAL MAN, Cillian Murphy is teaming up with Daniel Craig and Michelle Williams for Damien Chazelle's mysterious new prison drama—and the buzz is already deafening.

Production starts later this year through Chazelle's Wild Chickens Productions, with Paramount distributing, but details remain sparse beyond the prison setting. 

For Murphy, it's another chance to do what he does best: portray men under impossible pressure with that signature intensity and precision. A contained prison environment with Craig and Williams? 

That's not just a movie—that's a masterclass waiting to happen.

#Ireland #Irish #Movies #Film #Television #TV #Cinema #Irishmovies #IrishFilm #IrishCinema #Actor #ActorsLife #IrishActor #CillianMurphy #DamienChazelle #DanielCraig #MichelleWilliams #Hollywood #MovieNews #ComingSoon #Paramount #Oppenheimer #OscarWinner #PrisonDrama #NewMovie #FilmProduction #ActorLife

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Barry Keoghan is having a MOMENT 🎬✨

The Dublin actor just dropped the trailer for CRIME 101 (hitting screens February 13!) and he's completely unrecognizable.

Keoghan goes head-to-head with Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry, and Mark Ruffalo in this intense crime thriller.

Watch new trailer now at irishfilmtv.com.

#Ireland #Irish #Movies #Film #Television #TV #Cinema #Irishmovies #IrishFilm #IrishCinema #Actor #ActorsLife #IrishActor #BarryKeoghan #Crime101 #PeakyBlinders #ChrisHemsworth #HalleBerry #MarkRuffalo #CillianMurphy #PaulMescal #TheBeatles #Hollywood #IrishTalent #Dublin

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Paul Mescal is an Irish God in the new @britishgq interview.

In just a few years, he's become more than an actor—he's a mirror we all project onto, filling him with our ideas about masculinity, vulnerability, and what a leading man can be in 2025.

More Mescal at irishfilmtv.com.

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A priest. A pool. A Spanish island. And one very dead body. 🏊‍♂️☠️

THESE SACRED VOWS hits RTÉ One on February 1st, and this wedding weekend mystery is about to become your next obsession.

Newly released trailer now at irishfilmtv.com.

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Killarney's own Jessie Buckley just took home the Critics Choice Award for Best Actress for HAMNET, and her acceptance speech was pure gold 🏆✨

In HAMNET, Buckley delivers a devastating performance as Agnes, William Shakespeare's wife, navigating the grief of losing their 11-year-old son. Critics are calling it unforgettable, and now she has the trophy to prove it 🎬💚

More Jessie at irishfilmtv.com.

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HAMNET star Jessie Buckley shines in BEAST, now on #Netflix.

A troubled woman living in an isolated community finds herself pulled between the control of her oppressive family and the allure of a secretive outsider suspected of a series of brutal murders.

More at irishfilmtv.com.

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