Ruth Negga wins Rising Star Award at Palm Spring International Film Festival

The Limerick native has become one of the most hotly tipped actresses for 2017's award season, having already been nominated for a Golden Globe.

The Palm Spring Awards usually act as a barometer for the Academy Awards, with many winners going on to receive the Oscar nod a month later.

Although the nominations for this year's Academy Awards have not yet been announced, Negga has been heavily touted over the previous months and could stand in contention with the likes of Emma Stone for her role in La La Land and Natalie Portman for her role as the First Lady in Jackie.

Elsewhere at the awards ceremony, Nicole Kidman picked up the International Star Award for her role in Lion and Tom Hanks won the Icon Award for Sully.