The Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) team pictured at Cinema Killarney over the weekend. L-R: Molly Qualter, Amy Louise O’ Callaghan, Helen Cahill, Marie Lenihan, Namejs Balodis, Declan Mc Steen, Kieran Fitzgerald. Photo: Colleen MurphyTHE 27th International Film Festival (KIFF) took place in Killarney from October 15th to 18th.
This year’s festival welcomed a record breaking number of attendees across its programme, with audiences enjoying 19 Irish and International features and 14 short film programmes, alongside industry events, family screenings and special presentations.
The festival opened on Thursday evening with an opening party at the Plaza Hotel, followed by Nanouk Leopold’s sold out screening of Whitetail and concluded on Sunday evening with a special presentation of Paweł Pawlikowski’s Fatherland, winner of Best Director at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.
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The KIFF 2026 Awards Ceremony took place at the Great Southern Killarney on Sunday, October 18th, celebrating the outstanding filmmaking talent showcased throughout this year’s festival.
The KIFF 2026 Winners were…
Teresa McGrane 2026 Recipient of the Kerry Interational Film Festival (KIFF) Maureen O’ Hara Award at Randles Hotel Killarney Friday October 16th. Photo: Colleen Murphy• Maureen O’Hara Award Recipient – Teresa McGrane
• Best Original Score Sponsored by Randles Hotel – RELIC Directed by Sam Howard
• Best Documentary Short – RELIC Directed by Sam Howard
• Best International Narrative Short – NAUSEA Directed by Elliott Louis McKee
Jessica and Ezme Plunkett Photographed at ‘Drawing Using Shapes’ Art workshop held in the ANAM Centre Killarney, part of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) 2026. Photo: Colleen Murphy• Best Student Short Film – EURO-CHILDREN Directed by Áindréas Fallon Verbruggen
• Taking Flight, Rising Talent Award Sponsored by Kerry Airport – Colin Peppard (Director of MY FRIEND KEV and DISCIPLINE (music video))
• Best Short Script – CUTTING by Aoife Leonard.
Samhain Storytelling with Ray O’ Sullivan & Pop Up Gaeltacht in Courtney’s Bar Killarney on Saturday for the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) 2026. Photo: Colleen Murphy• Best International Narrative Feature – HA-CHAN, SHAKE YOUR BOOTY! Directed by Josef Kubota Wladyka
• Best Documentary Feature – THE SIEGE OF PARADISE, Directed by Gar O’Rourke
• Best Music Video – DID YE EVER GET THE RIDE AT THE WAKE HOUSE? Directed by Adam O’Rielly
• Kids Choice Award – HAPPY HAUNTINGS Directed by Ruth Harbison Jury: Kids Choice Awards
Cian and Jack Desmond of Desmond Bros Film & TV Production Company, pictured with Amhlaoibh Mac Suibhne (middle) Collecting their Award for ‘Walking Holiday’ at the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) over the weekend. Photo: Colleen Murphy
• Best Irish Narrative Feature – WALKING HOLIDAY Directed by Cian Desmond and Jack Desmond. Audience Choice Award
Front row seats at the Cinema Killarney for KIFF 2026. Photo: Colleen MurphySpeaking about this year’s festival, Festival Programme Director Amy Louise O’Callaghan said “we couldn’t have asked for a better festival this year. From independent Irish cinema, to films making waves on the international scene, KIFF audiences came out in their droves to see a wide range of films. Great audiences and the huge excitement, showcased that the people of Kerry love unique cinema-going experiences.
