Carney wins DIFF audience award

According to RTÉ, John Carney's film, Once, has won the inaugural Dublin International Film Festival Audience Award.

It tells the story of two singers who fall in love in Dublin over the course of a week, as they write, rehearse and record songs.

Commenting on winning the DIFF Audience Award, director John Carney said: "I'm delighted that our film, which was shot on the streets of Dublin, and was in many ways an attempt to portray a slice of Dublin life, has been acknowledged in its home town."

He continued: "I hope it goes some way to encouraging young directors to hit the streets with their cameras and shoot their own stories in their own way. There's something very satisfying about having made a small, personal story that has pleased people, and we're all thrilled with the audience award."

The film was produced and financed by Samson Films, with funding from the Irish Film Board and RTÉ and goes on release in Irish cinemas on 23 March.