- Opinion
- 06 Mar 09
Kate Winslett joined the cream of the Irish film industry for a pre-Academy Awards ceremony and knees-up.
Irish and American film luminaries gathered on February 19 at The Ebell in Los Angeles for the US-Ireland Alliance’s 4th annual Oscar Wilde: Honoring The Irish In Film event.
The 400-strong crowd was treated to a cocktail reception where they feasted on delectable hors d’oeuvres and top-shelf liquid intoxicants (including lethal Oscartinis!).
Later, actors Brendan Gleeson and Jonathan Rhys Meyers and agent Hylda Queally were honoured. Gleeson and Rhys Meyers were unable to attend, so Gleeson accepted via videotape and Morgan O’Sullivan, producer of The Tudors, accepted the award on Rhys Meyers’ behalf. Oscar winning actress Kate Winslet presented Queally with her award, and Queally regaled the audience with her alternately funny and moving rags to riches tale.
Afterwards, the attendees (Oscar winning actress Marion Cotillard and Freida Pinto of Oscar-dominating Slumdog Millionaire among them) were treated to outstanding musical performances by Maura O’Connell, Gemma Hayes, Laura Izibor and Republic Of Loose. To round off the evening, guests were treated to a tasty array of dishes including fried chicken and fish and chips.