The Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) has just completed its 21st Edition, and are proud to announce that it has been one of their most successful years of celebrating film to date.

Despite facing their most challenging year thus far due to COVID-19 restrictions, KIFF has been overwhelmed by the immense support and interest gained, not only at a local level, but also both nationally and internationally.

To ensure the safety of KIFF audiences everywhere during an international pandemic, KIFF chose to present an exclusively online festival from October 15 -18. Shifting to a fully digital programme was a new process for KIFF and it presented some interesting challenges along the way, however, a state-of-the-art festival was successfully delivered due to support from local business, the determination of a remarkably dedicated team, and via the invaluable backing from key funding partners such as The Arts Council, Kerry County Council and Creative Ireland. As a result of going entirely online, KIFF are delighted to say that they have reached a wider audience base and have grown interest and participation in the festival far beyond The Kingdom.

"We are overjoyed with the positive feedback we have received on every level this year,"
General Manager of KIFF, Sean Mulchinock said.

"Filmmakers, audiences, sponsors and local businesses alike have all come out in support of KIFF 2020. This support has made a significant difference to us as a festival and it reiterates the value that people place on KIFF, both regionally and nationally. We are privileged to be associated with all of our supporters and we cannot thank them enough for boosting up our festival, particularly during these challenging times."

TRUA AWARD

As well as presenting an online film festival for the first time, KIFF 2020 also saw the introduction of their inaugural TRUA award, an award that celebrates compassionate filmmaking that promotes positive change. The recipient of the 2020 TRUA Award went to 'This Land'. Upon receiving the award, Director, Zithelo Bobby Mthombeni said he "wanted to start a conversation".

"I wanted to get people talking, not only about how people in Ireland have suffered racism but also the positive impact immigration has had on Irish culture, whether that’s through food, music, media or activism. It was also an opportunity to talk about how Ireland’s culture has changed in the last 10 years. The creative community in Ireland is quite inspiring right now, and it is important to showcase what we in Ireland have to offer in terms of talent and diversity."

Due to the immense success of KIFF 2020, the team are already making plans to incorporate a permanent digital element to the festival going forward. However, they are also excited to have the opportunity to work with partners in October 2021 and to welcoming audiences back to physical screenings. Whatever the future may bring, KIFF have showcased that they are here to stay and that they are dedicated to delivering their bespoke festival to worldwide audiences next year and beyond.

WINNERS

BEST INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE SHORT Leopard Diretor, James Arden Producers, James Arden & Poppy Ashton

BEST STUDENT SHORT My Other Suit Is Human Diretor, Andrew Paul Montague Producer, Kira Fitzpatrick The London Film School

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE The Yellow Dress Composer, Natasa Paulberg Diretor, Deborah Grimes Producer, Maggie Ryan

BEST OF KERRY Bó Director & Producer, Mieke Vanmechelen

BEST OF KERRY The West Kerry Cowboy Director, Cian O'Connor Producer, Peter Kilmartin

BEST ANIMATION: GON, THE LITTLE FOX Director, Takeshi Yashiro. Producer, Masaaki Oikawa - special mention for Alamid by Shayna Gail Velasquez, this year’s youngest KIFF filmmaker. Shayna Gail is a 16-year-old high school student from Belfast, Northern Ireland.

SCRIPT WRITING AWARD Lambing Screenplay by Katie McNeice

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: Violet Gibson The Irish Woman Who Shot Mussolini Directors, Barrie Dowdall & Kevin de la Isla O'Neill Producers, Siobhán Lynam & Barrie Dowdall

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT: How to Fall in a Love in a Pandemic. Director & Producer, Michael-David McKernan

BEST IRISH NARRATIVE SHORT Rough Directors, Declan Lawn & Adam Patterson Producer, Louise Gallagher

BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE Follow the Dead Director & Producer, Adam William Cahill KIFF's inaugural annual TRUA Award - celebrating compassionate filmmaking that excites positive change.

TRUA AWARD 2020 Winner: THIS LAND
Director Zithelo Bobby Mthombeni
Producers The Tenth Man, Eric Davidson, Ellen Bennett