Judi Dench to receive IFTA Lifetime Achievement Award

Judi Dench is to be be presented with the Irish Academy Lifetime Achievement Award (IFTA) next month in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the world of film and television.

The presentation event will be at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin on July 6th and is set to be hosted by Deirdre O’Kane.

Celebrating 20 years this year, IFTA has announced that the legendary Oscar-winning actress will be presented with the award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to film and television at a special In Conversation.

Judi Dench is one of the world’s most versatile and respected actors, with an illustrious career that spans over six decades. Her performances have earned her awards and accolades across the globe.

This special IFTA Award recognises Judi Dench's body of work and her remarkable achievements. She is well-known for her extraordinary ability to command the screen in both leading and supporting roles and for decades she has been one of the most in-demand actors working, brining enormous prestige to any project.

Judi Dench in Belfast.

Dench was born in York with both of her parents having been raised in Dublin. Her mother was born in Ireland and her father born in the UK. Her parents met while studying at Trinity College.

She has remained connected to her Irish heritage both personally and professionally over the many years, and brought enormous depth and empathy to her performance in Irish films Philomena and Belfast.

"It’s such an honour to pay tribute to Judi Dench and to celebrate her extraordinary talent, work and career," said Chief Executive of IFTA Áine Moriarty, according to RTE.

"We look forward to hosting this special event with Judi and presenting her with the Irish Academy Lifetime Achievement Award here in Dublin, the city where her parents grew up."

Expressing how honoured she feels to be acknowledged here in Ireland, Dench said, "It's especially wonderful for me to receive this Lifetime Achievement Award from the Irish Film and Television Academy, as my family are from Ireland and it gives me a wonderful excuse to return to Dublin."