Bronagh Gallagher’s latest IFTA nomination hailed amid ‘remarkable surge in talent’

Transcript

00:00 There has been such a remarkable surge in the talent within Northern Irish art scene

00:05 and I think that is underscored by our region's burgeoning talent and vibrant

00:09 creative community from our captivating films to our compelling TV productions.

00:13 Northern Irish artists are making their mark on both the national and

00:17 international stage and I want to particularly pay tribute to Blue Lights

00:23 creators Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson. If anybody has watched it

00:28 they're very excited for the new series which coincidentally is playing on the

00:33 two weeks time in the Braid back home to Ballymena. So well done, four

00:39 nominations in the top four categories. Kenneth Branagh, best supporting actor

00:44 in a film. Brona Gallagher, Derry's own best supporting actress in a film and

00:49 the directors of An Irish Goodbye, if you haven't seen it please do. That was

00:54 our Oscar winner, Robbie's left, but that was our Oscar winner and but they have

00:59 been nominated for their new film The Golden West. So I think if we can see

01:05 these nominations not only celebrate individual achievements but also

01:08 highlight the rich cultural landscape that we have and the growing influence

01:12 of the Northern Irish arts industry. If we can achieve this with what is a

01:16 real-time cut in arts funding then imagine what we can achieve when we have

01:20 a fully resourced and fully funded arts sector. So I just wanted to pay

01:25 tribute to all of those who are nominated.