The 27th annual Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) takes place across Killarney from October 15 to 18, bringing a major line-up of Irish and international feature films, documentaries, short film programmes, and industry events to local venues.

Opening night features the drama Whitetail, directed by Nanouk Leopold and filmed on location in Kenmare and surrounding areas. Starring Natasha O’Keeffe and Andrew Bennett, the film screens at Cinema Killarney on Thursday, October 15, at 7.30pm.

The four-day event closes on Sunday evening with the Irish premiere of Fatherland, directed by Cannes award-winner Paweł Pawlikowski, screening at Cinema Killarney at 5.30pm.

Additional programme highlights include Czech Republic as the 2026 Country of Focus, new Irish feature films, family screenings, and a series of free community events.

Festival tickets and venue passes are on sale through kerryfilmfestival.com and at the Cinema Killarney box office.

Highlights at KIFF 2026

Local storytelling and Kerry locations feature prominently in this year’s festival schedule.

Alongside the Kenmare-shot opening drama Whitetail, the programme includes a special archive presentation, IFI Local Films for Local People: 100 Years of Kerry on Film, offered as a free event bringing historical footage back to local screens.

Local filmmaker Mieke Vanmechelen co-directs IMMRÁM, a documentary exploring indigenous Irish identity and customs. The ever-popular Kerry Connection short film strand also returns, showcasing local crew and directors from across the county.

For families, a relaxed screening of Cartoon Saloon’s Song of the Sea will take place, followed by a live drawing workshop at ANAM led by local artist Daniel Horgan O’Connell.

Ticket Information

Screenings and industry events will run across multiple locations in Killarney throughout the festival.

IMC Cinema Killarney: Feature screenings (€9) and Short Film strands (€7)

St. Mary’s Church of the Sloes: Screenings and presentations (€5)

ANAM Arts & Cultural Centre: Workshops and family events (Free)

Special Event Venues: Killarney Plaza Hotel, Courtney’s Bar, Randles Hotel, and The Great Southern Hotel

An All-Access Pass is available for €70, alongside a 5-Film Bundle for €30. Tickets can be booked at kerryfilmfestival.com.

ScallyWags PreSchool secures prestigious environmental award

ScallyWags PreSchool has achieved national recognition after earning the Silver Stag intermediate level award for its work in biodiversity and outdoor education.

The Muckross preschool was the only school in South Kerry to pick up an award in the latest environmental assessment scheme. The Silver Stag is awarded to schools that successfully integrate pupil-led environmental actions, hands-on outdoor learning, and habitat improvements.
Working with children aged three to four, the preschool established native hedgerows, created bee and bug hotels, mounted bird and bat boxes, and constructed a mini pond from an upcycled flower box to track local aquatic life. The school ground management also featured designated un-mown micro-meadows to encourage native wildflowers and insects.
ScallyWags PreSchool owner Patricia Quigley praised the children’s hands-on involvement in transforming the school grounds.
Quigley said. “Our first time submitting an entry and to get silver is so great. We worked for it. We planted hawthorn, willow, and holly hedgerow, put up bird boxes, a bat box, a bird care station out of an old dog bowl, a bee and a bug hotel.”
“We drew a map to see what we needed to do. I think one of our favourite things was building a pond out of a flower box, and enjoying watching what creatures arrived to it,” she added. “We were the only school, not just preschool, who won an award in South Kerry. Little us! It is all towards a better education in nature for future generations.”