Sheridan honoured in LA

Irish writer and director Jim Sheridan was among a trio of stars honoured by UK film body Bafta at a ceremony in Los Angeles yesterday. Also receiving awards at the event were British actress Helen Mirren and Tom Hanks.

Sheridan, whose most recent film was the critical hit 'In America', received the John Schlesinger Britannia Award for Artistic Excellence.

Tom Hanks was handed the Stanley Kubrick Award for Excellence in Film, while Helen Mirren received the Britannia Award for Artistic Excellence in International Entertainment.

One of the more unusual guests supporting Jim Sheridan at the gala dinner was rapper 50 Cent. Jim is working on a film with 50 Cent, loosely based on the rapper's life. 50 Cent said: "It's an exciting experience for me to even be in Jim's presence."