Hollywood stars blaze a trail at IFTAs

ROUNDING off a weekend of star-studded award ceremonies and film premieres in Dublin, the fifth Irish Film and Television Awards (IFTAs) didn’t fail to bring out a mix of Hollywood stars and home-grown talent.

Amid cheers from the waiting and freezing public, Hollywood veterans Rene Russo and Bo Derek graced the red carpet of the Gaiety Theatre.

But the night really belonged to Braveheart star Mel Gibson who took home the award for Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema and said it was an “incredible honour”. He said he has slipped into Ireland “a few times” since filming Braveheart and added that he even has an Irish passport.