IFTAs split into separate TV and Film ceremonies

The Irish Film and Television Academy has announced that it is to split its annual IFTA awards into two ceremonies - one for film and one for TV.

The film awards will take place on May 24 with the television equivalent taking place on October 17.

Neither ceremony will be broadcast live, but TV3 will broadcast an awards special in May and in October.

RTÉ dropped the IFTAs from their schedule last year.