Two years after sweeping the global awards circuit with Oppenheimer, Cillian Murphy has returned to the forefront of the Irish film industry, per variety.com. The Cork-born actor is among the lead nominees for the 23rd Irish Film & TV Academy (IFTA) Awards for his performance in Steve.
The 2026 nominations list features a formidable line-up of international heavyweights. Jessie Buckley has secured a nod for the Oscar-tipped Hamnet, appearing alongside co-star Paul Mescal. Meanwhile, Daniel Day-Lewis marks a high-profile return to the ballot for Anemone, and Colin Farrell is recognised for Ballad of a Small Player.
The foster-care drama Christy leads the field this year with 14 nominations, closely followed by the football-themed biopic Saipan, which earned 12. In a significant milestone for the academy, a record seven women have been nominated across the directing categories for film and television.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to veteran actor Ciarán Hinds. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 20 at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre.
