The writer, director and producer of numerous acclaimed Troubles-related films was last night honoured with a lifetime achievement award.
There were also wins for Belfast actor Stephen Rea and the Fall at the glittering Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) awards in Dublin's Mansion House.
This year's IFTAs have been split into two halves - television awards will take place in October while film and drama awards were handed out last night.
The Lenny Abrahamson-directed Frank and Terry McMahon-directed Patrick's Day led the nominees this year with nine nominations each.
Irish nominees on the night included Jamie Dornan, Colin Farrell, Michael Fassbender, Cillian Murphy and Aidan Gillen while international actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Jake Gyllenhall and Eddie Redmayne were also nominated.
Jim Sheridan, best known for his films My Left Foot, In the Name of the Father and The Field, was honoured for his life's work, receiving his award from Game of Thrones star Sean Bean.
Sheridan wrote, directed and produced In the Name of the Father and the Boxer, both of which starred frequent collaborator Daniel Day-Lewis. He also co-wrote and produced the Some Mother's Son, based on the 1981 hunger strike while he was executive producer of Bloody Sunday.
Stephen Rea took home the award for best actor in a support role (drama) for his role in the political spy thriller the Honourable Woman.
Aisling Franciosi won the actress in a supporting role (drama) award for her portrayal of a vulnerable Belfast teenager obsessed with Jamie Dornan's psychotic killer Paul Spector character in the Fall.
Dornan himself lost out to Aidan Gillen in the best actor in drama category. Gillen won for his portrayal of former Taoiseach Charlie Haughey in the TV mini-series Charlie.
Other Northern Ireland stars at the ceremony last night included Ciaran Hinds who presented the rising star award to Sarah Greene, who also won the award for actress in a supporting role (film).
AWARDS HIGHLIGHTS
Best film: Song of the Sea
Drama: Love/Hate
Actor in a lead role film: Moe Dunford - Patrick's Day
Actor in a lead role drama: Aidan Gillen - Charlie
Actress in a lead role film: Deirdre O'Kane - Noble
Actress in a lead role drama: Charlie Murphy - Love/Hate
Actor in a supporting role film: Domhnall Gleeson - Frank
Actor in a supporting role drama: Stephen Rea - The Honourable Woman
Actress in a supporting role film: Sarah Greene - Noble
Actress in a supporting role drama: Aisling Franciosi - The Fall
Director film: Lenny Abrahamson - Frank
Director drama: Ciaran Donnelly - Vikings
