{"id":293839,"date":"2026-01-20T11:26:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T11:26:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/293839\/"},"modified":"2026-01-20T11:26:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T11:26:08","slug":"top-two-films-scoop-26-nominations-as-steve-coogan-goes-up-against-daniel-day-lewis-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/293839\/","title":{"rendered":"Top two films scoop 26 nominations as Steve Coogan goes up against Daniel Day-Lewis \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brendan Canty\u2019s<\/a> Christy<\/a>, the hard-edged social realist tale from Cork<\/a>, has scored a chart-topping 14 nominations for the upcoming Irish Film & Television Academy Awards<\/a> (Iftas).<\/p>\n

The well-reviewed title, which a year ago won top prize in the Generation 14plus category at Berlin International Film Festival, is up for best film, best director and, for its breakout star Daniel Power, best actor. <\/p>\n

\u201cOnce in a lifetime you come across the right group of people,\u201d Canty says of his young, often non-professional cast. \u201cIt\u2019s something you can\u2019t force.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\u00a0Christy: Clattering, noisy, joyful portrait of life in a troubled north Cork suburbOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

Just behind, in second place with 12 Ifta nominations, is Saipan<\/a>, Lisa Barros D\u2019sa and Glenn Leyburn\u2019s study of the tensions between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy before the 2002 Fifa World Cup in Japan. \u00c9anna Hardwicke<\/a> and Steve Coogan<\/a>, who play, respectively, footballer and coach, compete against Canty in an unusually starry best-actor line-up: Daniel Day-Lewis<\/a> for Anemone<\/a>, Colin Farrell<\/a> for Ballad of a Small Player<\/a>, and Cillian Murphy<\/a> for Steve<\/a> complete the six nominations.<\/p>\n

Jessie Buckley<\/a>, unbackable favourite at the Oscars, will surely enter the Ifta best-actress race at even slimmer odds. The Kerry woman, star of the searing Hamnet<\/a>, faces up against such veteran talents as Fiona Shaw, for Hot Milk, and Carrie Crowley, strong in the Irish-language Aontas, at the home derby. <\/p>\n

Hamnet competes in best international film against fellow Oscar hopefuls such as One Battle After Another<\/a>, Sinners<\/a> and Sentimental Value<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a superb line-up of nominees this year,\u201d \u00c1ine Moriarty, Ifta<\/a>\u2019s chief executive, says of the line-up, which honours Irish talent and Irish productions. \u201cThis incredible showcase of work reinforces the fact that Irish talent is truly amongst the best in the world, working both in front and behind the camera across the globe. We look forward to rewarding their work and achievements at the ceremony in February.\u201d<\/p>\n

There is also a strong showing for Richard Linklater\u2019s Blue Moon<\/a>. Largely shot in Dublin, and co-produced by Wild Atlantic Pictures, the film details the decline of Lorenz Hart, the legendary lyricist, as his former colleague Richard Rodgers, the composer, soaks up applause for the first night of Oklahoma! Andrew Scott<\/a>, who plays Rodgers, competes against Paul Mescal<\/a>, Buckley\u2019s costar in Hamnet, in a tasty best-supporting-actor category.<\/p>\n

[\u00a0Jessie Buckley profile: From TV talent show runner-up to Golden Globes winnerOpens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n

In a slightly eccentric arrangement, the Iftas, now in their 23rd year, announce TV drama nominations on the same day as their film shortlists. Among the shows competing for best drama are the cop series Blue Lights<\/a>, the Marian Keyes adaptation The Walsh Sisters<\/a> and the Netflix comedy-horror romp Wednesday<\/a>, which was shot in Ireland.<\/p>\n

Ciar\u00e1n Hinds<\/a>, among the nation\u2019s most admired actors, will receive this year\u2019s lifetime-achievement award. \u201cI am deeply grateful to Ifta for this recognition,\u201d the Belfast man says. \u201cTheir support for the cinematic and televisual arts over the past 20 years and more has been immense, and I am truly honoured to receive it. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s Ifta awards take place at Dublin Royal Convention Centre on Friday, February 20th. The comedian, actor and broadcaster Kevin McGahern returns as host. <\/p>\n

Iftas 2026: Film nomineesBest film<\/p>\n