PHILOMENA, an acclaimed film about an Irish woman's search for her long-lost son, was among the big winners at last night's BAFTA ceremony in London.
The Stephen Frears film scooped the award for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Royal Opera House with writers Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope on-hand to accept the BAFTA.
The film is based on the true story of Irish woman Philomena Lee, who is played by Dame Judi Dench in the movie.
Steve Coogan said of Lee: "Her story has been told and her story finished in the Vatican. She has been heard but there are 60,000 other women who have yet to trace their children, and their story isn't over."
The BAFTA win is the latest in a growing list of accolades for Philomena, which has also been nominated for four Oscars, including best picture.
There was more good news last night for the Irish as second-generation Irishman Kieran Evans - whose mother hails from Dublin - picked up the award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, director or producer for Kelly + Victor.
The film stars Derry-born actress Antonia Campbell-Hughes, who plays Kelly in the film, and was part-funded by the Irish Film Board.
Elsewhere, Kerryman Michael Fassbender, who played a brutal slave owner in 12 Years A Slave, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor, but missed out on the award to Barkhad Abdi, who made his debut in Captain Phillips.
The Irish actor will hope to fare better on March 2 when he travels to LA for the Oscars where he is up for an award in the same category.
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See More: Awards, BAFTA, Irish, Kieran Evans, Michael Fassbender, Philomena
