The IFTAs could still be seen on Irish television this year – as another channel wants to screen them.
It is believed TV3 or UTV Ireland has put in an initial request to organisers, after RTE announced they won’t broadcast them this year.
The State broadcaster decided to pull the award ceremony – which cost €500,000 to air – from the airwaves after the furore following last year’s gaffe-laden ceremony.
Home: Michael Fassbender at the 2014 IFTAs | VIPIRELAND.COM
Now IFTA boss Aine Moriarty fears RTE’s decision to pull the plug will stop A-listers from turning up.
She added: “The danger is that they have caused serious damage to the Academy and to the awards ceremony.
“But we are determined not to let this damage the industry and we are going to think outside the box this year to ensure this much needed showcase continues.
“The public should be able to see first-hand a showcase of the talent in this country. It’s a David-and-Goliath battle, but we must go on.”
Winner: Love/Hate’s Stuart Carolan and Peter Coonan with gongs | VIPIRELAND.COM
Stars including Colin Farrell, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Dornan and Brendan Gleeson all came to the ceremony in February this year.
And Ms Moriarty told the Sunday Independent that the lack of funding from RTE hit the broadcast of the show.
She added: “IFTA has been asking for three years for RTE to step up to the plate and increase the budget which they were giving us to produce the awards.
“They only gave us 10% of the money that the BAFTAs receive each year from the BBC. It was disgraceful.”
