John C. Reilly and Kathleen Kennedy among awardees at 2025 Oscar Wilde Awards

The US-Ireland Alliance’s 2025 Oscar Wilde Awards were held last night at the Ebell Los Angeles. Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, John C. Reilly, and Éanna Hardwicke were among those honoured.

The ceremony was MC'd by Trina Vargo, Alliance founder and creator of the awards 20 years ago. Presenters included Will Ferrell, Hylda Queally, and Macdara Kelleher.

Will Ferrell, who presented John Reilly with his award, said that "all the gifts that historically have come out of Irish society radiate from John."

In turn, Reilly gave an emotional speech about his admiration for the Irish: "what really stands out to me at this moment is their love of democracy and their common decency."

"Someone more eloquent than me once said, a nation's greatness is measured by the care they give to the most vulnerable," he added. "That's how you make a country great. You put your beliefs to work. That's what the Irish do."

He also spoke on Oscar Wilde, stating that "those in power who were not confident enough to trust the truth of love sought to destroy him."

"Oscar dying penniless in a cheap French hotel may make it appear to some that the Establishment succeeded in destroying him. But his work lives on and tells another story of resilience, survival and brilliance."

John C. Reilly (L) accepting an award from Will Ferrell (R). (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for US-Ireland Alliance)

Macdara Kelleher presented the Wilde Card Award to Éanna Hardwicke. Kelleher produced the upcoming film SAIPAN, in which Hardwicke plays Irish soccer legend Roy Keane during Ireland's infamous 2002 World Cup campaign.

Hardwicke said he had coveted the Wilde Card Award for a long time, and was honoured to be in the company of other recipients like Saoirse Ronan, Eve Houston, and Barry Keoghan.

Macdara Kelleher (L) and Éanna Hardwicke (R). (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for US-Ireland Alliance)

Kathleen Kennedy was given her award by Hylda Queally. Kennedy is the president of Lucasfilm, the company behind Star Wars, and she spoke about working with J.J. Abrams while filming in Dingle and on Skellig Michael.

As part of her speech, Kennedy said there is "something about the Irish spirit. It's the resilience, creativity, and love of storytelling that has left a lasting impression on me."

"So tonight, let's celebrate the power of collaboration, the friendships we continue to build, and the incredible contributions of Irish artists, filmmakers, and visionaries," she added.

Kennedy also introduced another of the awardees, her husband, producer and director Frank Marshall, producer and director, now an honorary Irishman. Marshall recounted the saying that "if you're lucky enough to be Irish, you're lucky enough."

Kathleen Kennedy (L) and Frank Marshall (R). (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for US-Ireland Alliance)

The gala featured performances from Irish singers Lenii and Eiza Murphy. Among those on hand to hear them were Colin Devlin, and hit series Say Nothing writers Joshua Zetumer, Kirsten Sheridan and Clare Barron.

Lenii performing onstage. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for US-Ireland Alliance)

Among the many celebrities that graced the "green carpet" were former Oscar Wilde Award awardees Richie Baneham and Sarah Bolger, Frankie Shaw, Thaddea Graham of Bad Sisters, Eoin Macken, Matt Walsh, Aisha Tyler & Emmett Hughes, Kevin Ryan, Alice Eve, Samantha Mumba, Nick McCarthy, and Glen Keogh.

Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen executives Désirée Finnegan, Andrew Reid, and Steven Davenport were seen speaking with a number of film executives in the room about opportunities for production on Ireland.

Also present were Northern Ireland editor, Nick Emerson, nominated for an Academy Award for Conclave (2024), and Irish producers of The Apprentice (2024), Ruth Treacy and Julianne Ford.