Held in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, just days before the Academy Awards, this star-studded event, organised by the US-Ireland Alliance, honoured the exceptional achievements of Irish and Irish American acting talent in Hollywood.
Legendary filmmaker James Cameron and acclaimed Northern Irish actress Roma Downey graced the stage as presenters for the evening, adding to the event's prestige. Celebrated individuals from the Emerald Isle - Pierce Brosnan, Molly Shannon, and Richard Baneham were among those celebrated for their remarkable contributions to the film, television, and theatre industry.
In traditional Irish style, celebrities graced the green carpet in LA, opting for a more relaxed dress code than seen at other award shows, styling in jeans as opposed to tuxedos. The event embraced Irish culture with a selection of iconic Irish treats including Taytos, Guinness, whiskey, and Wilde Irish Gin all served on the night.
Breaking into Hollywood, Professor Declan Keeney Co-Founder and CEO of Studio Ulster mingled with Hollywood’s elite including Irish Actors who are enjoying a moment, Cillian Murphy, Lily Rabe, Jane Seymour, and Samantha Mumba.
The Gold Sponsor status and Declan Keeney’s attendance firmly positioned Studio Ulster in the spotlight as a prominent contender in the global film industry. With its state-of-the-art facilities sprawling 75,000 ft² and unique £72 million investment, Studio Ulster is positioned as a key contender for securing contracts with major production companies worldwide.
Its innovative approach fusing Virtual Production with traditional film, animation, games, and broadcast industry, alongside cutting-edge Research and Development, and Visual FX capability further solidifies Belfast's reputation as a hub for cinematic innovation and creativity.
On the night, James Cameron, the director behind Avatar, presented Richard Baneham with his award. A two-time Academy Award-winning VFX Supervisor, Baneham is known for his work on both Avatar and Avatar: Way of Water.
Downey, a Co Derry native, presented Pierce Brosnan with his first Oscar Wilde. Downey is known for her work on the hit CBS show Touched by an Angel as well as her portrayal of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in the award-winning series ‘A Woman Named Jackie’. She is also recognised as a successful producer and author.
On stage, Molly Shannon received her award, recognised for her work on Saturday Night Live. Shannon traces her ancestry to Ireland through her mother's side: her maternal grandparents both immigrated to the US from Co Mayo.
For more information on Studio Ulster, please visit the Studio Ulster Website or follow the Instagram account @Studio.Ulster for highlights from the Oscar Wilde Awards evening.