KERRY International Film Festival (KIFF has announced the full programme for its 27th edition, taking place in Killarney from October 15th to 18th.
This year’s four-day festival brings an eclectic programme of Irish and international features, documentaries, short films, workshops, and family activities to venues across Killarney.
Speaking about KIFF 2026, Festival Programming Director Amy Louise O’Callaghan said: “As always, it is so exciting to return to Killarney with a packed festival programme. Whether you’re looking to support the next wave of Irish talent, check out the films making waves as Sundance or Cannes or simply have a chat over a pint and meet like-minded people, we have it all at KIFF and we hope to see you there”.
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Tickets for all events are now available at www.kerryfilmfestival.com
KIFF 2026 will open at Cinema Killarney on Thursday, October 15th at 7:30pm with Whitetail, an atmospheric drama directed by Nanouk Leopold and filmed in Kenmare and the surrounding areas.
The festival’s Opening Night Party will take place at the Killarney Plaza Hotel from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.
KIFF will close on Sunday evening at Cinema Killarney at 5:30pm.with the Irish Premiere of Fatherland, the latest feature from acclaimed director Paweł Pawlikowski (Ida, Cold War).
Set in Germany in 1949, the film follows Nobel Prize-winning writer Thomas Mann as he travels through a country divided by the aftermath of war while confronting a deep fracture within his own family. Starring Hanns Zischler and Sandra Hüller, Fatherland was awarded Best Director at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.
In celebration of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union and Kerry’s pairing with the Czech Republic, Czechia is KIFF’s 2026 Country of Focus.
Highlights include Miloš Forman’s classic The Firemen’s Ball, the final film he made in his home country before relocating to the United States; the Irish premieres of Summer School 2001, Dužan Duong’s coming-of-age drama exploring the experiences of a first-generation Vietnamese family in the Czech Republic; and The Limits of Europe, Apolena Rychlíková’s investigative documentary following Czech journalist Saša Uhlová as she goes undercover to expose the exploitation of Eastern European workers across Europe, including in an Irish hotel.
KIFF continues to showcase exciting new Irish filmmaking talent with a selection of contemporary Irish features like ‘Walking Holiday’, directed by Cian and Jack Desmond, and ‘Our House’, directed by Peter Young.
The documentary programme explores subjects ranging from prison and rehabilitation to tourism, identity and alternative ways of living.
Local filmmaker Mieke Vanmechelen co-directs IMMRÁM with Michael Holly, following a charismatic family at the centre of a growing movement reclaiming indigenous Irish identity, customs, religion and language.
Meanwhile, The Siege of Paradise by Gar O’Rourke takes a cheeky and humorous look at Italy’s Cinque Terre, where four million tourists descend each summer, asking what happens when your home becomes a global holiday destination.
Kerry International Film Festival has announce Teresa McGrane as the recipient of this year’s Maureen O’Hara Award, which recognises women who have made an outstanding contribution to the film and television industries.
Teresa served as Deputy CEO of Screen Ireland for more than two decades, playing a significant role in the growth and international recognition of Ireland’s screen industry. She is now Chief Operating Officer of Wild Atlantic Pictures.
The KIFF Awards Ceremony will take place at the Great Southern Killarney on Sunday, October 18th at 1:00pm.
The festival will recognise excellence across its short film programme, with awards including Best Irish Narrative Short, Best International Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short, Best Irish Language Short, Best Film Score, Best Screenwriting, Best Student Short, Best Animated Short and Best Music Video. Additional awards include Best of Kerry, the Trua Award, Taking Flight Rising Talent Award, Audience Award for Best Irish Narrative Feature, Best International Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature and the KIFF Kid’s Choice Award.
This year’s judging panel includes filmmakers and industry professionals including Kim Bartley, Frank Blake, Amanda Posey, Barry Ward, Dennis Harvey, Roisin Geraghty, Kate Dolan, Alma Kelliher, Malcolm Campbell, Luke Dunne, John Kelly and Dawn Shadforth.
Follow KIFF across social media for programme updates, filmmaker announcements and festival news: @KerryFilmFestival
