News
Massive support for this year’s film festival
With 15 physical events and 30 online screenings this year's Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) was yet another resounding success.
.
.
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)
Ukrainian exhibition brings ‘Towel of Unity’ to Killarney
The Ukrainian community in Kerry presented the international outdoor exhibition “The Towel of Unity – The Towel of Victory” at St Mary’s Church on Saturday.
Organised by Future of Ukrainian Nation (FOUN Kerry), led by Chairperson Natalia Eismont and coordinator Iryna Samborska, the cultural initiative celebrated Ukrainian heritage while fostering solidarity between Ireland and Ukraine.
At the centre of the display was a 166-metre embroidered towel, known traditionally as a rushnyk. Created by Ukrainian communities across dozens of countries, each section represents global resilience and connection. The project was originally founded by Andrii Yatsenko in Estonia, with his wife Svitlana joining individual pieces from around the world into one continuous artwork.
A key moment of the Killarney event saw the official addition of the embroidered piece crafted by the Ukrainian community in Ireland to the master banner.
The outdoor exhibition offered local residents and visitors a chance to learn about traditional Ukrainian customs and the symbolic meaning behind the rushnyk, which represents protection, heritage, and unity. FOUN Kerry expressed gratitude to local authorities, clergy, and the Kerry community for their ongoing support and warm welcome.
Monument honouring Kerry’s revolutionary women
A proposal that first originated in the Killarney Municipal District has culminated in the unveiling of Ireland’s first monument dedicated to the women of the 1912–1923 revolutionary period.
The project was brought forward by Killarney councillor Marie Moloney and backed by fellow Killarney representative Maura Healy-Rae.
The initiative gained momentum and full support in the main Kerry County Council chamber from all elected female councillors – adding Norma Moriarty, Aoife Thornton and Deirdre Ferris – leading to the commissioning of the historic memorial.
Titled Spiorad Bán Chiarraí or Spirit of the Kerry Women, the 2.5-metre bronze sculpture was officially unveiled in Tralee Town Park. Created by Dublin-based sculptor Elizabeth O’Kane, the artwork depicts a woman in period uniform marching forward while raising the Irish flag. To maintain historical accuracy, O’Kane referenced original uniforms from Cumann na mBan and Cumann na Saoirse.
“The sculpture was a year and a half in the making, from sculpting the larger-than-life-size clay figure in my studio, to the many months of highly skilled bronze casting carried out in a Dublin foundry,” said Ms O’Kane.
“From start to finish, it has been a labour of love – artists often claim to suffer for their work, but I have the X-ray to prove it! A fractured wrist in the middle of the project was extremely untimely, but I am immensely proud of the final result. It has been a privilege to commemorate the women of this period with a sculpture that celebrates their courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy.”
The project was funded through the Department of Housing and Local Government under the Percent for Arts Scheme. The memorial stands as a permanent tribute to the vital social, political, and military roles Kerry women played in shaping modern Ireland.
Ukrainian exhibition brings ‘Towel of Unity’ to Killarney
Ukrainian exhibition brings ‘Towel of Unity’ to Killarney The Ukrainian community in Kerry presented the international outdoor exhibition “The Towel...
Monument honouring Kerry’s revolutionary women
Monument honouring Kerry’s revolutionary women A proposal that first originated in the Killarney Municipal District has culminated in the unveiling...
Ukrainian exhibition brings ‘Towel of Unity’ to Killarney
The Ukrainian community in Kerry presented the international outdoor exhibition “The Towel of Unity – The Towel of Victory” at...
Corcoran’s celebrates a decade of dedication
Corcoran’s celebrates a decade of dedication Family-run retailer Corcoran’s Furniture & Carpets hosted a special celebration at The Heights Hotel...
Arbutus Hotel celebrates 100 years in business
Arbutus Hotel celebrates 100 years in business The Arbutus Hotel on College Street is celebrating a landmark centenary this month,...
Fossa Swimmers make a splash at County Finals
The Fossa Swim team pictured at the Tralee Sports Complex following their successful outing at the County Finals of the...
On the Ball Part 2 of the Mikey Daly Interview
Éamonn Fitzgerald EF: Killarney Celtic are invited to participate in an Irish competition. That has big financial implications for travel,...
LUKE MANGAN recently caught up with Kerry FC’s manager, Colin Healy.
He spoke to him about his careers as a player and manager. Here’s how it went: When you began your...
Home cup tie for St Paul’s could be epic
Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Round 1) Utility Trust St Paul’s v GCU Brunell Saturday 7.30pm Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre...
Chances of Kerry v Cork Munster final in 2026 decrease as Munster GAA delay seeding plan
After facing a backlash from Limerick, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary players, Munster GAA have postponed their plan to keep Cork...
