Caroline Lynch, Minister Jimmy Deenihan, Eanna de Buis, current Filmmaker in Residence at Kerry County Council, Michael Kelly and Lisa Fingleton (previous filmmakers in residence), Kate Kennelly, KCC Arts Officer at the official opening of the Kerry Film Festival at Siamsa Tire on Sunday. Photo by Ciara O’Donnell
THE 15th Annual Kerry Film Festival opening night took place in Siamsa Tire on Sunday, and though the weather tried its best, it certainly did not dampen the spirits of the large crowd who made it to the National Folk Theatre.
It was a real birthday celebration with thanks to the superb performance of Irish Composer Bernard O’Reilly and his cine theatre ensemble.
They played a completely original score to three of the O’Kalem films, silent movies filmed in Killarney and Beaufort between 1910-1915.
Minister of State for the Diaspora, and staunch supporter of the Kerry Film Festival, Jimmy Deenihan, was on hand to praise the efforts of festival Director Roisin McGuigan. He also highlighted the immense contribution Kerry has made to film in Ireland in recent years, and how the film industry continues to grow here.
It was a fantastic way to open the festival, which runs all week, with events in Tralee, Killarney, Waterville, Killorglin and Cahersiveen. The musical event really set the tone for the rest of the festival, which will also feature a free music seminar hosted by IMRO (Irish Music Rights Organisation), focusing on scoring for film and TV and how best to excel within the industry.
On Friday, there will be a spectacular music event on Friday in Siamsa Tire, when indie pop band, Summer Camp, fresh from the main stage at Castlepalooza in the summer, come to play alongside teen movie documentary Beyond Clueless!
For more information or for ticket inquiries call 066 71 29934 or pop into the Kerry Film Festival Box Office on Denny Street.
Phillip Doyle, Yvonne Murphy, Mayor of Kerry, Cllr John Brassil, Kerry Film Festival Director Roisin McGuigan and Neil Browne at the official opening of the Kerry Film Festival at Siamsa Tire on Sunday. Photo by Ciara O’Donnell
Musicians Kieran Moynihan, Claire O’Donnell, Roger Moffatt, Jane Hughes, Composer Bernard O’Reilly, Violin – Brona Fitzgerald at the official opening of the Kerry Film Festival at Siamsa Tire on Sunday. Photo by Ciara O’Donnell
