James Martin commented after Northern Ireland's An Irish Goodbye won best British short at the Baftas, "It's not every day that you pick up a Bafta in London.".
It triumphed at the ceremony at the Southbank Centre by defeating The Ballad of Olive Morris and A Drifting Up.
Martin said on BBC's Good Morning Ulster program, "I couldn't believe that I could go up to that stage.".
On March 12, which is also his birthday, he is now anticipating the Academy Awards.
He said, "Fingers crossed we win an Oscar, that might put the icing on my birthday cake.".
"We'll just wait and see what occurs on the day. ".
We don't do nervous in this house, his father, broadcaster Ivan Martin, advised Martin on how to maintain his composure at the Baftas. ".
It's not every day that a film like An Irish Goodbye gets this far, he continued.
"Really fair play to the guys, the cast, and my co-stars at the Baftas last night. ".
Two estranged brothers reconcile after their mother dies in the Tom White and Tom Berkeley-directed and written film An Irish Goodbye.
A dark comedy that takes place on a farm in Northern Ireland's countryside, it was filmed in Londonderry, Templepatrick, and Saintfield.
Suzanne, the mother of Martin, expressed her "delight" for the moviemakers.
As a mother, she said, "They created something very special on screen - something that moved me.".
"Irish film has had a remarkable year, and the talent has been on display across all the awards," White said in the Bafta winners' room.
We are only a tiny portion of that, but we feel incredibly honored to be.
"We are also representing Northern Ireland; it is very important to us.
"To see this Irish talent being recognized in this way, including our fellow nominees Colm Bairéad for The Quiet Girl, a stunning movie, and the Banshees team, is such an honor and makes us feel proud. " .
The Banshees of Inisherin, which received ten nominations, won best British film, best original screenplay, best supporting actor, and best supporting actress.
Among the winners were Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan.
An Cailin Ciin (The Quiet Girl) came in second to All Quiet on the Western Front in the categories for screenplay adaptation and not in English.
Paul Mescal, Colin Farrell, and Daryl McCormack were other Irish actors with leading roles who were of interest. Austin Bulter for Elvis received that honor.
In the weeks leading up to the Oscars on March 12, the Baftas are among the most prestigious events.
There are also Oscar nominations for Paul Mescal, The Banshees of Inisherin, An Irish Goodbye, and Cailn Ciin.
