Paddy Breathnach's film 'Man About Dog' went straight to Number 1 at the Irish box office last weekend.
The action comedy set in the world of greyhound racing beat off stiff competition from fellow opening films 'Collateral', 'Wimbledon', 'Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow' and 'Layer Cake'.
Breathnach is "delighted" that people are going to see the film in such large numbers.
"We set out to make a film that could play to a wide audience and it's very heartening to feel that has been achieved. With ten IFTA nominations and opening Number 1, it's been a great week."
'Man About Dog' is in the running for Best Irish Film at the Irish Television and Film Awards and Breathnach himself has received a nomination for Best Film Director.
Other nominations include Best Editing (Dermot Diskin), Best Cinematography (Cian de Buitlear), Best Production Design (Paki Smith), Best Hair / Makeup (Linda Mooney), Best Costume Design (Lorna Marie Mugan), Best Script (Pearse Elliott), Best Supporting Actor in Film/TV (Ciarán Nolan) and Best New Talent (Pearse Elliott).
