KERRYInternational Film Festival (KIFF) celebrated its 25th Anniversary Edition this past weekend across various venues in Killarney.
Now in its 25th year, KIFF delivered a packed programme of features and short films from Ireland and abroad,
This year, KIFF received more submissions than ever, resulting in a diverse selection of Irish and International shorts, including an expanded family-friendly shorts selection, documentaries, narrative, animation and the ever-popular Kerry Connection programme, which celebrates the creativity and vision of Kerry filmmakers.
Continued below…
Each year, one of the highlights of KIFF is the presentation of the Maureen O’Hara Award. This year’s recipient was producer Rebecca O’Flanagan, who was honoured at a special presentation and ‘in conversation’ event in Randles Hotel Killarney on the opening night of the festival.
The presentation was followed by a sold-out Opening Night screening, which kicked off with the world premiere of Dance to Remember, directed by Dónal Dineen and winner of the 2023 Kerry Short Film Bursary, funded by Kerry County Council Arts Service and the Arts Council of Ireland and supported by Screen Kerry and Kerry ETB.
Another highlight of the festival was KIFF’s 25th Birthday Celebration, sponsored by Killarney Plaza Hotel and Killarney Brewing and Distilling Co, which celebrated the journey of KIFF up until this point, and featured speeches from Grace O’Donnell, Chairperson of the Board, Ailbhe Keogan, KIFF Board Member, and Kate Kennelly, Arts Officer & Creative Ireland Coordinator for Kerry County Council. The event was followed by a sold-out Special Presentation of Small Things Like These, with lead Eileen Walsh in attendance.
The KIFF 2024 Awards Ceremony took place in Great Southern Hotel Killarney on Sunday October 20th.
Hosted by Jessica Courtney Leen, Filmmaker and Artistic Director of West End House School of Arts, the ceremony celebrated the outstanding talent and creativity displayed throughout the weekend and awarded shorts and features in a range of categories.
The Taking Flight, Rising Talent award, sponsored by Kerry Airport, was presented to Siobhan Aislinn, who co-wrote, produced and starred in the closing film, Blurred Lines.
Another staple of the festival is the Screenwriting Award, which was awarded to Eoin Joseph Duncum for the script Gentlemen, By Way of Jupiter.
The Trua Award, which recognises brave filmmakers who compassionately explore and highlight social issues, was awarded to The Building and Burning of a Refugee Camp, directed by Dennis Harvey. It was noted for giving a voice to immigrants Sami, Simon and Hasiballah, who have experienced far-right violence in Dublin.
Speaking at this year’s festival, Festival Programming Director Amy Louise O’Callaghan said “We’ve been privileged to screen an amazing variety of shorts and features this year, and to see such strong support and attendance across the events (despite multiple weather warnings) has made KIFF 2024 feel truly special. We couldn’t have done it without our brilliant team of staff and volunteers who kept everything running on the ground.”
FULL LIST OF KIFF 2024 AWARD WINNERS
MAUREEN O’HARA AWARD: Rebecca O’Flanagan
BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE: We Were Dangerous
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: Conor Walsh: Selected Piano Works
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: Sponsored by Randles Hotel Ogham
BEST OF KERRY: Medicinal
TRUA AWARD: The Building and Burning of a Refugee Camp
TAKING FLIGHT, RISING TALENT AWARD Sponsored by Kerry Airport: Siobhan Aislinn, Blurred Lines
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT: We Beg to Differ
BEST ANIMATION: Tennis, Oranges
BEST STUDENT SHORT: A Fairytale Romance
BEST INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE SHORT Sponsored by the Killarney Plaza Hotel: Red Sky At Night
BEST IRISH NARRATIVE SHORT Sponsored by the Great Southern Hotel Killarney: All That’s Carried
SCREENWRITING AWARD WINNER: Gentlemen, By Way of Jupiter by Eoin Joseph Duncum. Honorable Mentions: Ashes (Andrew Thomas) and You’ll Never Walk Again (Jake John McKone)