Hunger wins again at film awards

18 February 2009 -

A movie which was filmed in Northern Ireland has clinched six awards at the Irish Film and Television Awards.

Hunger, directed by Steve McQueen, won the coveted Best Film accolade at the event, in addition to Best Film Actor award for Michael Fassbender.

The actor plays Booby Sands, an IRA hunger striker, and had to go on a specially-controlled diet to portray the campaigner.

At this weekend's awards, the film also picked up gongs in the Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Original Score, Best Production Design and Best Sound categories.

When accepting his award, Mr McQueen said it meant more to him that any other received to date.

The film has already achieved critical acclaim and also won the Gucci Group Award at the Venice Film Festival, the Camera d'Or prize at the Cannes Film Festival and a Bafta.

After filming the movie in Northern Ireland McQueen described it as "quite remarkable", saying "what became apparent was how so many people had been touched by this story".