15/12/2011

The Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA), in association with the John Ford Estate and the Irish Department of Arts and Heritage, has announced the establishment of John Ford Ireland - an annual Symposium celebrating the work and legacy of John Ford.

American filmmaker Clint Eastwood has received the inaugural John Ford Award. The legendary director Ford was an Irish American whose parents were from Ireland’s west coast. The award will be an annual affair and will be conferred upon a contemporary filmmaker who has similar skill and vision as the late director.

Presenting the Award to Eastwood, Irish Ambassador to the US Michael Collins said, “The selection of Clint Eastwood as the recipient of this inaugural John Ford Award draws a direct line between two of Hollywood’s greatest and most inspirational and creative figures. I salute the IFTA for this initiative and wish them well with their plans to host the first John Ford Ireland annual Symposium in Ireland next year.”

IFTA Chief Executive Áine Moriarty said, “Clint Eastwood is one of the world’s greatest living filmmakers, a unique visionary who is leaving his legacy to the world, just as John Ford has done in his lifetime. His films have great integrity and connect with people from all walks of life around the world. Themes of migration, identity, redemption and faith in the human spirit – these are his themes, as they were Ford’s.”

Clint Eastwood said, “When I worked with Sergio Leone years ago in Italy, his favourite director was John Ford and he spoke very openly about that influence. I want to thank everybody who is here from the Irish Academy, the John Ford family and thank you to John Ford Ireland.”