Three Irish films win Toronto film festival awards

Irish filmmakers won three prizes at the Toronto International Film Festival last night.

Irish filmmakers won three prizes at the Toronto International Film Festival last night.

Belfast writer-director Mr Terry George won the People's Choice award for his film Hotel Rwanda.

Omagh, which tells the story of the relatives of victims of the 1998 bombing in Northern Ireland, won the event's Discovery award.

It was made with the cooperation of families of the victims of the bloodiest single attack in Northern Ireland 's 30-year conflict.

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The prize for Hotel Rwandawas particularly appropriate given the festival's focus on African cinema. Hotel Rwanda, based on the true story of a hotel manager who saved hundreds of lives during the country's 1994 genocide,

Don Cheadle stars as hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina, who exchanged cash, liquor and stockpiled favors to protect the people sheltered in his hotel.

It also features Nick Nolte as the frustrated head of the tiny UN presence in Rwanda

In My Father's Denmade by a Dublin-based production company Littlebird also won an award.

Additional reporting Reuters