News
Kerry International Film Festival launches 2020 programme online
Kerry International Film Festival has today (Friday) officially launched its 2020 online programme. Celebrating its 21st edition, the programme includes an array of unique feature films, documentaries, animation, short film programmes and online industry events not to be missed.
In keeping with current Government guidelines surrounding COVID-19 and to maintain the safety of KIFF audiences everywhere, the festival recently opted to present an exclusively online event in 2020. Movie enthusiasts everywhere can log on to www.kerryfilmfestival.com from October 9 and pre-book tickets for KIFF 2020 which will take place from October 15 – 18.
“We are clearly gutted that we are not able to meet all the filmmakers in the foyer of Cinema Killarney this year to share in the excitement of showcasing their work or to see the return of the loyal faces who have supported the festival over the past 21 years,” Festival Programmer Eibh Collins said at the launch today.
“However, I am extremely proud of the robust KIFF team for assembling such a strong event and grateful to the people of Kerry for their ongoing support during these challenging times. I am also so indebted to all the filmmakers, artists and creatives for having the guts to jump into the deep end of the unknown online festival world, just to be able to keep our film industry moving forward and our audiences entertained.”
Some of the highlights in this year's programme include three low-budget directorial debuts from independent Irish filmmakers; Chris Aylmer ‘Go Get Davey’, Allan El Atrash ‘Thursday’s Child’ and Adam William Cahill ‘Follow the Dead’.
“Alongside a selection of new work, we also look back and celebrate the 15 year anniversary of Perry Ogden's ‘Pavee Lackeen’, paired with Ciara Nic Chormaic’s ‘Skin + Soul’, which covers the work of Perry as a filmmaker and photographer. Both filmmakers will join us for a pre-recorded discussion about their work.
“We also have a host of exciting Irish and International documentaries, including ‘Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound’, directed by veteran Hollywood sound editor Midge Costin. This documentary will be followed by a ‘Making Waves in Irish Sound Design Panel’ and discussion. In other workshops we are excited to work with Kerry’s Filmmaker in Residence Mieke Vanmechelen on a tailored screening of ‘Un Film Dramatique’ and workshop specifically for young film enthusiasts in Kerry.”
The KIFF 2020 programme includes a vast selection of other panels aimed at new and established short filmmakers, covering the “How To” of marketing and promoting a short film online. This will also include a talk from one of Hollywood's leading Public Relations agencies, Joshua Jason PR, who will present a case study on the ‘Path to the Academy Awards’.
“In other short film content, we are excited to share a selection of over 80 shorts during the festival. While we are delighted to welcome returning work from KIFF veteran filmmakers and familiar faces, we also have an extremely exciting selection of skilled directing debuts from the future of Irish filmmaking. One of the most exciting elements of an online festival is our NON-geo blocked programme of short films, that will be shared with KIFF partnering festivals and International Irish Festivals, making sure the wealth of Irish talent and culture can continue to travel far and wide, even if we, the people, cannot.”
Lastly, KIFF short films selection also sees the return of the ‘Kerry Connection Best Short Film Competition’ and the ‘Shorts for Shorties: Kids Animation Selection’, among other highlights.
“We are also thrilled to be able to pair up with Dublin Feminist Film Festival. Like many other arts organisations DFFF had to cancel their 2020 plans, so we are honoured to be able to support them by screening a selection of six short films, including new work from Megan K Fox as well as three exciting features; Nia DaCosta’s ‘Crossing the Line’, Áine Stapleton’s ‘Horrible Creatures’, and Vivienne Dick’s ‘New York Our Time’.
While we can not all be together physically at this time, the KIFF team will still provide selected filmmakers with as much as time and support as possible, including giving them an opportunity to talk about their work. Hence, more panels, Q&As, and talks will be announced over the coming two weeks.”
THE JESSIE BUCKLEY INTERVIEW
In the lead up to the festival, KIFF will be sharing the Jessie Buckley Interview: The Maureen O’Hara Award recipient 2020 - In conversation with Esther McCarthy. This will be free to view anytime from Friday, October 9. Meanwhile, a selection of their 2019 Irish winning films will be available to view on their platform from today (Friday) to October 9, including last year's hit documentary ‘Kilimanjaro Mama’ about Kerry teacher Louise Quill.
“KIFF continues to strive to be as inclusive and accessible as possible and in support of this aspect of the festival, we have several open and close caption options, as well as audio description titles and subtitled Q&A and talks where possible.”
Upon pre-booking tickets from Friday October 9, screening will not be available to watch until the scheduled time and date. Once rented audiences will have from the scheduled screening time until Monday October 19 to watch their selected title(s), with the playback window of 36 hours. Prices start at €5 and competitively priced ticket bundles and season tickets are available.
For details on these screenings and more, please go to www.kerryfilmfestival.com.
Milltown history republished for 40th anniversary
The first publication to explore the history of Milltown is being republished to mark the 40th anniversary of its author’s passing.
“Milltown: Memories of Other Days” was originally written and published by local historian, auctioneer, librarian, and photographer Denis ‘Denny’ Sugrue, who died in 1986. Having been out of print for many years, the book is being brought back to life by the Milltown History and Heritage Society.
The updated and expanded 132-page edition will be launched at the old Milltown Community Hall on Saturday, August 22, at 8.00pm to coincide with National Heritage Week.
Edited by Dr John Knightly and Dr Owen O’Shea, the 40th-anniversary volume features the original text alongside new and colourised photos from Sugrue’s vast personal archive. It also includes a foreword from Sugrue’s daughter Maria and grandson Paul, as well as a curated selection of his “Milltown Notes,” a weekly column he penned for The Kerryman newspaper for nearly four decades.
“Denis Sugrue was a pioneering author and historian who had the foresight to commit much of the rich history of Milltown to paper in the 1980s,” said co-editor Owen O’Shea. “It is a unique and remarkable social history of a Kerry village in the early and middle twentieth century which we are so pleased to bring to a new audience.”
O’Shea added that the launch event will feature a display of Sugrue’s newspaper notes alongside an evening of local music, song, and storytelling to celebrate his legacy.
Supported by Kerry County Council under the Community Support Fund 2026, the launch event is open to all, with copies of the book available for purchase on the night. For further information, email milltownhistoryheritage@gmail.com.
Resident raises concerns over loss of evening hobby courses
A concerned local resident has voiced frustration over the apparent decline of evening leisure and hobby classes in Killarney during the autumn and winter months, calling for action to bring accessible adult learning back to the town.
The resident, who moved to Killarney decades ago, recalled years spent admiring advertisements for evening courses in gardening, beekeeping, DIY, sewing, Spanish, Pilates, and yoga. After waiting until work and family commitments eased to finally take up a local class, they discovered a distinct lack of local options available last year.
“I eyed the list enviously thinking that someday I’d have the time to attend these classes, to learn a few things and to meet other people with similar interests,” the resident wrote. “I could see that these hobby and leisure classes were reasonably priced and available in a central part of Killarney in an establishment that was accessible to people with disabilities. Hence, they were affordable, accessible, and ideal for anyone, irrespective of age or financial circumstances.”
The resident noted that while neighbouring towns across Kerry continue to host regular evening enrolments, Killarney locals are increasingly forced to travel elsewhere. A friend of the resident was recently obliged to commute weekly to another Kerry town simply to attend a basic DIY course.
The letter highlights the wider social benefits of adult education, pointing out that local classes play a vital role in tackling loneliness and fostering community connections.
“Killarney is a town with a can-do attitude, so these things should be possible,” the resident added. “We are constantly hearing that connection is an essential part of health and wellbeing, yet so many people are being excluded due to a lack of availability and affordability. We are frequently told about the benefits of lifelong learning, and for many people, that can be something light, fun, and most importantly, local.”
Running a class in Killarney? Let us know!
Are you hosting or planning an autumn or winter night class in the Killarney area? Whether it is art, languages, fitness, crafts, or practical skills, the Killarney Advertiser wants to help connect you with local residents who are eager to learn and meet new people.
Send details of your upcoming evening course, workshop, or hobby group to info@killarneyadvertiser.ie so we can help spread the word across the community.
Volunteer and community events will be promoted free of charge and the promotion of commercial events will command a fee.
Milltown history republished for 40th anniversary
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