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By Michelle Crean

Emerging talent and industry professional film and script writers will be delighted to hear that Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) - taking place from October 14 - 17 - is now open for submissions.

Deadline for submissions is August 23 and organisers have said that they are hopeful to have a physical element to the festival this year along with their recently expanded online platform.

Recently named in the 'Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals' on FilmFreeway, KIFF also currently ranks in the top 1.5% of over 10,000 festivals in the world.

The festival looks forward to presenting an exciting and dynamic festival in 2021 and to supporting and showcasing existing and emerging talent within the film industry, according to Chair of KIFF, Grace O’Donnell.

"The Board and team of KIFF are looking forward to providing an even bigger and better festival in 2021 and we hope to be able to present a physical element to the festival this year along with our developed online platform," Grace said.

"We look forward to engaging with our valued audiences and local partners and we look forward to welcoming and supporting emerging talent and industry professionals this year and beyond."

In celebration of a brand-new year and as part of the festivals overall strategic environmental policy, KIFF recently joined forces with Tralee Rotary Club to plant 4000 trees in Castlegregory Nature Park. The trees have been purchased from the Trees on the Land, a cross-border initiative working to establish young native trees across the 32 counties of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

KIFF Board Member, Ailbhe Keogan said that "on the environmental front, KIFF felt that it is important to give back in a meaningful way and to make a practical difference, even if on a small scale".

"We developed this project to showcase KIFF’s awareness and commitment to the promotion of a greener environment."