The critically-acclaimed and award-winning animated film Wolfwalkers has won the top honour at this year’s Irish Film and Television Awards (Iftas).

The 2020 feature from Kilkenny’s Cartoon Saloon won the Best Film category during a star-studded virtual ceremony hosted by Gráinne Seoige and broadcast on Virgin Media One last night.

The feature won the Best Animated Film category in the 2020 New York Film Critics Awards and was nominated for a number of prestigious awards this year, including an Academy Award, Golden Globe and Bafta award in the same category.

Presenting the award, Hollywood leading man Josh Brolin spoke of his fondness for Ireland and Irish films, theatre and literature.

“Ireland has had a massive impact on me, so I just wanted to say congratulations to all the nominees because I know how tough it is to manifest an idea into film,” he said.

Fresh on the heels of winning the Best Actor gong at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) awards in April, Kildare native Paul Mescal (25) was named Best Actor in a drama for the acclaimed adaptation of Mayo writer Sally Rooney’s Normal People. The wildly successful drama mini-series scooped nine Ifta awards, including Best Director (Drama) for Lenny Abrahamson.

Series co-stars Fionn O’Shea and Sarah Greene also won awards for Best Actor and Best Actress in a Supporting Role, respectively.

Mr Mescal, whose performance has made him a household name here and around the world, said: “I am absolutely thrilled. It is amazing to be nominated with such fantastic actors. It has been a journey of over a year now that has utterly changed my life.”

He thanked Mr Abrahamson, stating: “I would not be in this position without him, trusting me with [the character of] Connell.”

He also paid tribute to Ms Rooney, who he described as “the most incredible artist and novelist working in the world at the moment”, as well as co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones, who he described as “one of the most incredible actresses working in our industry”.

He dedicated his win to the team, saying: “It is an honour that is reflected on all of us.” 

Hollywood star Colin Farrell presented Newry filmmaker Cathy Brady with the award for Best Director (Film) for Wildfire. In a video post from Los Angeles, the Dubliner said: “I am so proud to see such great Irish directing talent nominated here tonight. All of them fearless and determined artists, sharing a bold new vision for Irish cinema.”

Ms Brady paid tribute to the late actress Danika (Nika) McGuigan who won a posthumous Best Actress (Drama) award for her starring role in the film before she died of cancer at the age of 33 in 2019.

Accepting the award on her behalf, her father, Irish boxing legend Barry McGuigan, and his wife Sandra, said they were “very, very proud and overwhelmed”.

Her brother Blane said: “Nika’s performance speaks for herself. It is the culmination of years of hard work. Nika tirelessly grafted to become the best actor she could be and in Wildfire she found a vehicle that let her express herself artistically like she had never been able to do before.

“It is tragic that Nika did not get to show the world more of her endless talent, but this award and its recognition of her brilliant performance would have meant everything to  Danika.”

Meanwhile, Dubliner Gabriel Byrne won the Best Actor (Film) award for his leading role in the Irish-Canadian film Death of a Ladies Man. He paid tribute to the late singer and poet Leonard Cohen “for his beautiful music and his words”, which were a central theme in the film.

“One of the things that has always stuck with me is something he said: ‘There’s a crack in everything – that’s how the light gets in’. Thank you so much everybody,” he said, adding: “It is especially heartwarming to get this award.”

Actress and writer Sharon Horgan and Barry Ward also won gongs for best supporting actress/actor for Dating Amber.