It might be Oscars week in Hollywood but grassroots filmmaking in Killarney has a strong future too.

FINALS: Young Killarney filmmakers Glen Bowler and Luke Courtney have been selected for the final at the Fresh International Film Festival next month.

This week, three different filmmakers from the locality won awards in two different competitions.

Rachel Griffin has won the First Cut Film Festival award for 'Best Music Video'.

Rachel composed the song ‘Two Fools, One Lie’ as well as performing in and directing the video. Featuring a group of her friends, it stars the talented Sinead Marie and Dylan Shortt in lead roles.

Made in Killarney last spring, it involved a lot of collaboration and organisation with other local film fanatics.

Patrick O’Connor-Mason from Kenmare filmed and edited the video and his film ‘Dyslexia and Me’ was also screened at First Cut.

Rachel and many of her friends are members of Killarney-based youth film group SONAR (Scannánóirí Óga Na Ríochta) which is directed by Kerry County Council Filmmaker in Residence Mieke Vanmechelen and based at ANAM Cultural Centre.

Many of the group are also part of Prom Queen, a Jukebox Musical which was staged at the INEC and is managed by Katrin Maria Pietzonka. Both groups are ambitious and garnering attention nationally, highlighting the positive impact of creative youth engagement and the benefits of mentorship.

"Rachel is a major driving force within our group SONAR," Mieke said. "She is so talented and radiates positivity and generosity, this is a well-deserved win."

Rachel’s award was presented to her by festival director Mary McGrath at The Regal Cinema in Youghal.

SONAR’s films will be on the big screen at Fresh International Film Festival taking place from March 27 to April 1 at the Belltable Arts Centre in Limerick.

Meanwhile, another film by young Killarney filmmaker Glen Bowler will also be shown at the Fresh International Film Festival.

His short film, ‘The Legend of Patrick Greenwood’ will go through to the 2023 Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year award at Fresh on March 30.

The final will be broadcast on RTÉ in April.

Luke Courtney, who was recently on work experience at the Killarney Advertiser, also received good news along with other students from Transition Year in St Brendan’s College.

They were awarded the audience award in the Virtual Regional Final of the Fresh Film competition for their film ‘When the Chapel Glows’.

Luke who also acted in ‘The Legend of Patrick Greenwood’ attended the premiere of ‘When the Chapel Glows’ at the Belltable Arts Centre in Limerick this week when the film was also shortlisted in the Munster section of the regional finals ahead of the main event later this month.