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KILLARNEY came into its own as a Hollywood-style entity last night as Scotts Hotel in the town hosted the launch for the 17th annual Kerry Film Festival (KFF).

In advance of the launch, there was a private screening of Kerry filmmaker James Pembroke's film, Living with Lyme disease, at Cinema Killarney.

The festival highlights will include the world premiere of two Kerry feature movies, Making It and Brackenmore, the Irish premiere of two music documentary films, Junun and We Are X, a special 1916 film commemoration to include a screening of Mise Éire in a association with the IFI and a curated selection of Irish and international short films and events.

The 17th edition of the festival will present 16 programmes of short film in 2016. The short film programme is an integral part of the Kerry Film Festival schedule and this year films were submitted from Kerry to Japan to Peru and further afield.

The festival will open and close with the world premieres of two Made in Kerry feature films, Making It and Brackenmore at Cinema Killarney. The production of these films is a testament to the determination of production companies filming in Kerry and the wealth of locations in Kerry suitable for filming.

A new element to the festival is the introduction of the short film market aimed at emerging and experienced filmmakers. With panel discussions, masterclasses, question-and-answer sessions and a special focus on the diaspora in the Irish International Film Festival panel this day-long event in Killarney will explore the short film on the national and international stage. Full details of the short film market will follow.

The artistic director of the Kerry Film Festival, Maeve McGrath, said: “The short film has always had centre stage in the Kerry Film Festival Programme and this year we have an extraordinary selection of films screening. Along with that, we are placing a focus on the short film form at our Short Film Market with some very exciting speakers and guests invited.”

The Kerry Film Festival will again connect with the Izmir International Film Festival and Nickel Film Festival in an exchange of short films and this year will introduce a selection of short films from Kendal Mountain Festival, the UK's premier mountain film festival.

Continuing the success of previous Film & Food themed events during the festival, there will be a screening of Sideways at Sol Y Sombra in Killorglin.

So save the dates October 19-23 in your diary and journey to Kerry to enjoy the cinematic delights of the shorts, features and events of the Kerry Film Festival 2016.

For more information on these screenings and others at Kerry Film Festival log onto www.kerryfilmfestival.com or call 066-712 9934.
 

 
Above: Reverend Simon Lumby, Killarney Chamber president Kate O'Leary and Paul O'Neill at the launch of Kerry Film Festival.