Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) will return to Killarney from October 16 to 19, and this year’s event will include a new award category – Best Irish Language Short Film.

The new award aims to highlight the growing presence of Irish language filmmaking.

It will be judged by Máire Ní Chonláin, TG4 Commissioning Editor and executive producer of An Cailín Ciúin, which was nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 2023 Academy Awards.

Ní Chonláin brings decades of experience in commissioning, producing and acquiring both scripted and unscripted content.

She co-commissions drama through TG4’s Cine4, Tús, Céim Eile, and Gealán schemes, and is also behind TG4’s long-running country music programming.

KIFF already presents 10 short film awards each year, including Best of Kerry and Best Documentary Short. The new Irish language award adds further recognition for a growing sector in Irish film.

Submissions for this year’s festival close on July 31 via FilmFreeway.

KIFF is supported by Kerry Airport, The Arts Council of Ireland, Kerry County Council, Fáilte Ireland, and a wide range of local businesses.

Buckley leads National co-drivers’ standings ahead of Sligo Rally

Rockfield co-driver Shane Buckley sits at the top of the Triton Showers Motorsport Ireland National Rally Championship co-driver standings heading into this Sunday’s Sligo Stages Rally.

Buckley, who was due to partner Sam Moffett in a Hyundai i20 R5 in Sligo claimed fourth overall on the Raven’s Rock Rally two weeks ago — a result that pushed him into the lead of the standings with 61 points after four rounds.

However, the championship allows for dropped scores, and when those are applied, Buckley trails rival Tom Murphy by a single point. Murphy has 50 points to Buckley’s 49, meaning the second half of the season is set up for a close title fight.

Sam is now unavailable for the Sligo Rally but Buckley has teamed up with promising Donegal driver David Kelly in a Volkswagen Polo R5. They placed a late entry and will carry 171 on the doors but will run inside the top ten on Sunday.

Several Kerry crews are also entered for the Sligo Rally this weekend. Mike Quinn and Kieran Doherty return in their familiar Mk2 Escort, running in Class 14. Dave Slattery and Denis Coffey, also in a Mk2 Escort, are entered in Class 13.

Mossie Costello, is entered a Fiesta Rally4 and will contest Class 2.

Eugene Buckley and Aaron Williams complete the Kerry Motor Club representation in a Toyota Starlet (Class 9).

Killarney Co-Drivers in Down Rally
While the focus is on Sligo this weekend, two Killarney co-drivers will be in action on Saturday’s Down Rally.

Elaine Ní Shé is navigating for Richard O’Lone in a Ford Fiesta Rally3, and John McCarthy is on the notes for Banbridge’s John Devlin in a Mk2 Escort.