Ruth Negga has been named Best Supporting Actress at last night's Film Independent Spirit Award for her part in Rebecca Hall’s acclaimed drama Passing.

“My cheeks hurt because I can’t stop smiling,” the Ethiopian-Irish actor said of her win, which arrived after she controversially missed out on an Academy Award nomination last month.

Negga had to deliver her speech via video call due to her rehearsals for a new Broadway production of Macbeth. The play, which sees Ruth appear alongside Daniel Craig, will open later this month.

“I am sorry I can't be there. I am rehearsing for a play. I would just like to share this with the entire cast and crew of Passing," the actor said over video call.

"Nothing can be created in isolation - without anybody else. We create in solidarity with others. This is an award for all of us. I am so proud of being part of such a beautiful film."

The winner for #BestSupportingFemale goes to #RuthNegga for #PassingMovie pic.twitter.com/fNQBPEdErv

— Film Independent (@filmindependent) March 6, 2022

The actress, who grew up in Limerick and graduated from Trinity College Dublin, has been lauded for her performance in Hall’s directorial debut. She plays a woman named Clare whose skin is light enough for her to be perceived as being white by those around her. Though Clare is bi-racial, she chooses to adopt the identity of a white woman to avoid racial prejudice of the time.

The film has received praise for the ways that it addresses racial identity and societal standards of physical appearance. Passing has also been nominated for Best Picture at this year's BAFTAs, with Negga in the running for Best Supporting Actress.

Negga beat out Killarney-born actress Jessie Buckley at the Independent Spirit Awards and will be competing with her again at the BAFTAs. Buckley has been nominated for her performance in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Lost Daughter. She will also be staring in Men, the newest horror film from director Alex Garland.

Negga ended her speech on Sunday by conveying her support for those currently suffering in Ukraine, saying "I would like to express my solidarity with the peoples of Ukraine."

Ruth was previously nominated for a Dublin Film Critics Circle award for her performance in the 2016 film Loving.