Legendary Oscar-winning actress, Judi Dench, received the IFTA Lifetime Achievement Award at a special event in Dublin on Thursday night.
The event, hosted by Academy CEO Áine Moriarty at The Shelbourne Hotel, took the form of an intimate ‘In Conversation’ with Deirdre O’Kane in front of a captivated audience of Irish Academy Members and invited guests.
Judi was then presented with her IFTA Lifetime Award by Minister Catherine Martin TD.
The engaging conversation between Dame Judi and Deirdre included funny and insightful anecdotes from her illustrious career, and stories from behind the scenes across her various achievements and iconic collaborations on stage and screen over several decades.
The audience was also invited to pose questions to the iconic actress.
Speaking about her return to Dublin, where her parents grew up, Judi joked that “most of my relations are here, probably in this room.”
Judi also shared some advice for young actors, saying: “Just see as much as you can. Only by watching and learning things, and perhaps you see something that doesn’t work so well, and make up your mind about why you think that, and keep the fingers crossed for good luck.”
Judi then spoke of the pressure of becoming the first woman to play M in the iconic James Bond franchise in the 1990s, and reflected on playing Irishwoman Philomena Lee in the 2013 film Philomena.
Some high profile co-stars of Judi from throughout the years, also wanted to be part of the celebrations and sent wonderful messages that were played out in the room, with Cate Blanchett saying: “You’re a miracle. You’re kind, you’re generous… you’re wicked.”
Olivia Colman reflected on their collaboration in Murder on the Orient Express and said: “Judi is the greatest. She embodies every part effortlessly, with a lightness of touch. She is captivating…”
Dame Judi’s Belfast co-star Ciaran Hinds also congratulated Judi and spoke on behalf of the Irish Academy saying: “We are thrilled not only that you’ve accepted it, but we feel very honoured to be able to offer it to you.”
Caitriona Balfe, who also starred in Belfast alongside Judi, added “Working with you has been one of the highlights of my career. I got to witness firsthand your kindness, your light, your incredible talent and, of course, your wicked sense of humour.”
“From stage to television and film, you have inspired us, you have moved us and you are a true, true legend.”
Aine Moriarty, CEO of IFTA, said: “We in the Irish Academy are so honoured to pay tribute to Judi Dench and to celebrate her extraordinary talent, work and career.
“Judi is a master of her craft; the breadth and variety of her work on stage and screen has solidified her as one of the most respected and iconic actors of her generation.
“We’re so proud to present her with this Irish Academy Lifetime Achievement Award here in Dublin, the city where her parents grew up.”
Industry guests in attendance included four other IFTA Lifetime Achievement recipients: Fionnuala Flanagan, Joan Bergin, Jim Sheridan and Ros Hubbard, who joined people like Liam Cunningham, Dearbhla Walsh, Patrick Bergin, Pollyanna McIntosh, Clare Dunne, Simone Kirby, Maria Doyle Kennedy and Charlene McKenna, amongst others.
