http://www.rte.ie/arts/2010/0219/london.html

The German-born and Kerry-raised actor Michael Fassbender was among those honoured at the London Film Critics' Circle Awards last night, winning the award for Best British Supporting Actor.

Fassbender, who previously won Best British Actor at the awards for 'Hunger', won this year for his performance in 'Fish Tank', one of four awards for the film on the night.

On the London Film Critics' Circle website, a statement from its honourable General Secretary, William Russell, gives the organisation's reasoning behind Irish actors being nominated in British categories.

It reads: "British and Irish film makers are eligible for most, if not all, of our awards.

"The word British in the title of some of our awards is simply to distinguish them from the general best actor/director/film awards.

"Irish citizens are eligible for these awards but many Irish actors and directors work on what are technically British films and their work deserves recognition.

"There is no intention to suggest that Irish talent is British should an Irish citizen be nominated in the 'British' categories and all Irish nominees know this.

"It simply recognises the complex nature of film making, a collaborative affair often crossing national boundaries and anyone who wishes to raise the matter should do so with Jason Solomons, current chair of the Awards Committee."

Colin Firth was named Best British Actor at the awards for 'A Single Man', with Carey Mulligan winning Best British Actress for 'An Education'.

Christoph Waltz and Mo'Nique won the International Actor and Actress awards for 'Inglorious Basterds' and 'Precious' respectively.

'Fish Tank' was named British Film of the Year and also won the awards for Best British Director (Andrea Arnold) and Young British Performer of the Year (Katie Jarvis).

'A Prophet' won the Film of the Year award, with 'Let the Right One In' winning Best Foreign Language Film.

Kathryn Bigelow was named Best Director for 'The Hurt Locker' and Quentin Tarantino was the recipient of the Excellence in Cinema award.

@filmweekly Mr Solomons introduced me (JP) to Michael Fassbender and I admit I was star struck which is rare for a paddy to paddy intro about 8 hours ago

@annasmithjourno So chuffed that Fish Tank won big at the Critics' Circle Film Awards. Also quite chuffed to have presented award to Michael Fassbender. about 8 hours ago

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0221/breaking12.html

McPherson film takes IFTA award
Actors Michael Fassbender, Brendan Glesson and Liam Cunningham at the IFTA awards in Dublin last night. Photo: Julien Behal/PAActors Michael Fassbender, Brendan Glesson and Liam Cunningham at the IFTA awards in Dublin last night. Photo: Julien Behal/PA
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Conor McPherson's film The Eclipse has taken the award for best film in the 7th Irish Film & Television Awards (IFTAs).

The winners were announced at a ceremony in Dublin last night.

The Eclipse also picked up awards for Aidan Quinn for best supporting actor (film) and for Conor McPherson Billy Roche for best film script.

Colin Farrell and Dervla Kirwan won the actor in a lead role (film) and actress in a supporting role (film) awards for their performances in Neil Jordan’s Ondine .

The young Carlow actor Saoirse Ronan won the actress in a lead role (film) prize for her performance in Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones .

Five Minutes of Heaven took the award for single drama/ drama serial, and the medical drama The Clinic picked up the award for best drama series/soap.

Irish director Thaddeus O’Sullivan was named best director in the television category for Into the Storm , while its lead actor Brendan Gleeson took the prize for actor in a lead role (television) for his performance as Winston Churchill in the HBO drama.

Harper’s Island star Elaine Cassidy won the actress in a lead role (television) award.

RTE's programme The Frontline received the IFTA for current affairs.

Tomm Moore, director of the Oscar-nominated animated film The Secret of Kells was named the 2010 Irish Film Board Rising Star and his film also took the best animation award.

The Irish Academy voted The Hurt Locker best international film.

Brendan Gleeson, Jon Voight and Juliette Binoche presented the academy's lifetime achievement award to Wicklow-based director John Boorman.

IFTA chief executive Áine Moriarty said it was "truly inspiring" to see that the exceptional talent and creative work

coming from the Irish film and television industry "continue to entertain, engage and capture the imagination of audiences here in Ireland and abroad".

"I would like to congratulate all IFTA winners and nominees for their fine achievements this year.”

A full list of the awards is available on the academy's website.

http://www.newsonnews.net/bbc/1995-bbc-films-celebrates-a-week-of-success.html

BBC Films Celebrates a Week of Success
Last Updated on Monday, 22 February 2010 16:02 Monday, 22 February 2010 16:02

BBC FilmsBBC Films proudly recognises its winners at this year's Orange British Academy Film Awards. British success Carey Mulligan won Best Actress for her role in Lone Scherfig's An Education.

Mulligan also picked up The Best British Actress Award at last week's London Critics' Circle Awards.

Fish Tank picked up the BAFTA for Outstanding British Film for Andrea Arnold, Kees Kasander and Nick Laws, as well as four awards at this year's Critics' Circle: The Attenborough Award for Best British Film of the Year; Andrea Arnold for Best British Director; Katie Jarvis for Best Young Performer; and Michael Fassbender won for Best Supporting Actor.

In The Loop won The Critics' Circle Screenwriters Award (Tony Roche, Jesse Armstrong, Armando Iannucci and Simon Blackwell).

Jana Bennett, Director of BBC Vision, said: "I'm delighted at the recognition that BBC Films received this past week.

"We will continue our commitment to producing a broad range of films for British audiences and look forward to celebrating these films on BBC television soon."

Christine Langan, Creative Director, BBC Films, said: "It has been a fantastic week for BBC Films.

"We are honoured to have worked with such a diverse group of artists who represent the high standard of creativity and talent in our industry across the UK."