Even though it failed to get nominated in the best director (Ken Loach) and best screenplay (Paul Haverty) categories, 2006 Cannes winner The Wind That Shakes the Barley was chosen best Irish film at the 2007 Irish Film & Television Academy Awards ceremony held in Dublin.
Starring Cillian Murphy (above, left), The Wind That Shakes the Barley follows members of the Irish Republican Army as they fight the British in the early 20th century. Liam Cunningham, as a train driver who becomes an activist, was chosen best supporting actor.
Cillian Murphy, for his part, was the winner of the best actor award for his role as a transvestite cabaret singer in Neil Jordan's sociopolitical comedy-drama Breakfast on Pluto (above). Additionally, Breakfast on Pluto received three other Irish Film Awards: best direction, screenplay (Jordan and Pat McCabe), and hair/makeup.
Eva Birthistle was voted best actress for her role as the proprietress of a small-town pub — and the object of fanatical priest Matthew Macfadyen's hatred — in Brian Kirk's dark drama Middletown.
Little Miss Sunshine, everybody's favorite faux irreverent comedy, was the best international film.