With 15 physical events and 30 online screenings this year's Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) was yet another resounding success.

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The KIFF team were overwhelmed with the level of interest and support they received over the four days of the festival.

KIFF has gone from strength to strength over the past 12 months and they recently generated the largest number of film submissions in the festival’s history to date. Audiences were treated to a variety of screenings in Cinema Killarney as well as virtually online, and events included the opening night celebration in Randles Hotel Killarney, the IFTA Networking event in The Plaza Hotel, the awards ceremony in J.M. Reidy’s and the closing screening FOSCADH (Shelter) being showcased in Siamsa Tíre Tralee.

Speaking about the success of KIFF 2021, Director Eibh Collins said that they are "overjoyed to have been able to return to Killarney and Tralee with KIFF this year".

"It has been terrific to see filmmakers, audiences from Kerry, Ireland and even further afield, sponsors, and local businesses coming together to support the festival and to celebrate the power of cinema to connect people, either virtually or in person."

Another important highlight was the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) networking evening which took place at The Plaza Hotel on Friday.

Hosted by CEO of IFTA, Áine Moriarty, the event outlined the plans that are taking place to showcase Kerry as one of Ireland's most spectacular filming locations for international and Irish productions and opportunities for new film business in the future.

"The film industry in Ireland is growing exponentially and Kerry has the ability to attract a substantial part of this business into the country and we can all work together to make this happen,” Áine said.

The event included speeches by Chief Executive of Kerry County Council Moira Murrell and Kerry Arts Officer Kate Kennelly. Siobhán O’Sullivan, Screen Kerry, also gave an exciting update on the film industry in Kerry and its future. Additionally, Director and Film Editor, Emer Reynolds, whose most recent project ‘Joyride’ was filmed in Kerry, also spoke about her experience of filming in the county and the wealth of opportunities for filming throughout the Kingdom general.

The KIFF 2021 Awards Ceremony took place on Sunday in J.M. Reidy’s Killarney.

There was the introduction of the Taking Flight Award, sponsored by Kerry Airport, to celebrate emerging talent in film.

KIFF 2021 AWARD WINNERS

BEST INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE SHORT
Habit
Director: Kevin W. Koehler
Producer: Jeff Kopchia, Matt Dooley, Nathan Scherrer, Jonathan Craven, Ben Piety, Kim Koehler

BEST IRISH NARRATIVE SHORT:
Debutante
Director and Producer: Kamila Dydyna
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT: Best Foot Forward
Director: Seán Hart
Producer: Bill McHugh and Seán Hart

BEST STUDENT SHORT supported by SCREEN IRELAND
Another Day in 98
Director: Timotej Baca
Producer: Jan Jakub Osiński and Ashling Sugrue

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
The Passion
Director: Mia Mullarkey
Producer: Roisin Geraghty
Composer: Anna Mullarkey

BEST OF KERRY
Harvest
Director: Tristan Heanue
Producer: Ronan Cassidy

BEST ANIMATION
Nightlink
Director: Aidan O'Sullivan
Producer: Greg Connolly

BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE
Who We Love
Director: Graham Cantwell
Producer: Edwina Forkin, Graham Cantwell and Alan Fitzpatrick

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Only I Can Hear
Director: Itaru Matsui
Producer: Mayu Hirano, Kengo Toyoda, Paul Cadieu and Nancy Guerin

SCREENWRITING AWARD - BEST SCRIPT -- Sam Killian for SO LONG, DOG.

Special mention for former KIFF Script winner Cathriona Slammon for STORK.

TRUA AWARD - Producer Zlata Filipovic

TAKING FLIGHT AWARD - Introducing our new Rising Talent category, the TAKING FLIGHT AWARD proudly supported by Kerry Airport - Writer/Director Katie McNeice

MAUREEN O’ HARA AWARD – Kathleen Kennedy (Announced October 11)