Kerry International Film Festival

Kerry International Film Festival This year’s festival takes place in October in Killarney and we are now open for submissions. We hope to see you there!

The Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) is where cinema magic happens! 🌟 Join us in Killarney, Ireland this October 15-18, 2026 for a celebration of incredible films, fresh talent, and unforgettable moments 🎬✨ The Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) is renowned for celebrating the work of new and established filmmaking talent through a well established and lively short film competition that has been supported and endorsed by luminaries from the world of film such as Cillian Murphy, director Paul Greengrass, Jeremy Irons, Liam Neeson, and Gabriel Byrne. filmfreeway.com/KerryInternationalFilmFestival

The KIFF has become a vital element of the Irish Festival circuit and Kerry’s cultural landscape offering a unique film experience to the local community as well as visitors to the county. The Kerry International Film Festival provides a great opportunity to celebrate cinema and socialise by meeting with other film lovers and being immersed in some of the most provocative, thought provoking and exciting film from the Kingdom of Kerry and the four corners of the globe.

🟠🟢🔵 KIFF IS NOW ON LETTERBOXD! 🟠🟢🔵We’re officially on Letterboxd HQ! 🎬💚Make sure to follow us Kerry International Film F...
10/09/2026

🟠🟢🔵 KIFF IS NOW ON LETTERBOXD! 🟠🟢🔵

We’re officially on Letterboxd HQ! 🎬💚

Make sure to follow us Kerry International Film Festival | KIFF or find us through the link in our bio.

Want to get yourself excited for KIFF 2026? Why not take a look back at all the films we screened last year - they’re all listed on our Letterboxd account! 👀🎞️

🎞️INTRODUCING REEL TALK🎞️A new series of conversations, panels and practical sessions exploring the people, stories and ...
08/09/2026

🎞️INTRODUCING REEL TALK🎞️

A new series of conversations, panels and practical sessions exploring the people, stories and realities behind filmmaking.

From building a career and finding opportunities, to regional filmmaking, working as crew and bringing independent projects to life, REEL TALK brings together filmmakers, emerging talent and creative professionals with experienced voices from across the Irish screen industry.

Whether you’re just starting out, developing your next project or already working in film, REEL TALK is a space to listen, learn, connect and get inspired

🎟️Book your tickets now at kerryfilmfestival.com

🏆 MAUREEN O’HARA AWARD 2026🏆We’re delighted to announce that Teresa McGrane will be the recipient of this year’s Maureen...
08/09/2026

🏆 MAUREEN O’HARA AWARD 2026🏆

We’re delighted to announce that Teresa McGrane will be the recipient of this year’s Maureen O’Hara Award, celebrating women who have made an outstanding contribution to the Irish film and television industry.

Teresa has played a hugely influential role in the growth of Ireland’s screen industry, serving as Deputy CEO of Screen Ireland for more than two decades and supporting the development of Irish talent, production and the sector’s international profile.

The award will be presented as part of a special In Conversation with Teresa McGrane, facilitated by producer Lesley McKimm, where they’ll reflect on Teresa’s remarkable career and the changing landscape of Irish film and television.

📅 Friday, October 16
🕖 19:00
📍 Randles Hotel, Killarney

We look forward to celebrating Teresa and her outstanding contribution to Irish screen. 🎬

🏆 We didn’t get Sam Maguire… so there’s space for a Zebbie! 🎬✨Huge congratulations to Ailbhe Keogan, Chair of Kerry Inte...
03/09/2026

🏆 We didn’t get Sam Maguire… so there’s space for a Zebbie! 🎬✨

Huge congratulations to Ailbhe Keogan, Chair of Kerry International Film Festival, who has won a Zebbie for Best TV Drama Script for her work on Trespasses.

A fantastic achievement and one we’ll be celebrating with her in Killarney this October!

Congratulations Ailbhe! 👏💚🏆


Writers Guild of Ireland Kerry County Arts Screen Ireland

💚🎬MEET THE JUDGES OF KIFF 2026🎬💚🎵 First Up is Best Original Score 🎵 MEET ALMA✨Alma is an award-winning composer, sound d...
02/09/2026

💚🎬MEET THE JUDGES OF KIFF 2026🎬💚

🎵 First Up is Best Original Score 🎵

MEET ALMA✨

Alma is an award-winning composer, sound designer and musician. She works with dance, theatre, film, music, circus and live art, always blurring the lines between music and sound design in her work. Alma has composed for numerous short films. She composed the music for the RTE Doc on One series, PIRATE PREDATOR. She is a company artist with THISISPOPBABY, and created the music for their smash hit shows RIOT and WAKE.

She is an accomplished session musician, working with many of Ireland’s major acts including Lisa Hannigan, Bell X 1, The Coronas, and Moncrieff.

She releases solo music as electro-folk act Lux Alma. This will be her second year as a judge at KIFF.

🎬💚MEET THE TEAM💚🎬Meet some of the brilliant people behind KIFF 2026! ✨From programming and curation to technical product...
29/08/2026

🎬💚MEET THE TEAM💚🎬

Meet some of the brilliant people behind KIFF 2026! ✨

From programming and curation to technical production and bringing the festival experience to life, our team works hard behind the scenes to make KIFF happen!

Swipe through to get to know the team who bring you KIFF each year! 🎞️

MEET AMY ✨

Amy Louise is a film programmer and author-illustrator. She previously worked at the Irish Film Institute on its annual Schools programme, before leaving to join Kerry International Film Festival as the Festival Programming Director.
She is also the Festival Coordinator for Animation Di**le

MEET MARIE ✨

Known for her calm approach and can-do attitude, Marie works behind the scenes to help everything run smoothly.

She’s passionate about building strong connections with local businesses and making sure the festival feels rooted in the community. 💚

MEET DECLAN ✨

Declan works across a variety of technical, programming and administrative roles for film festivals.

After receiving a BA in Film & Television and an MA in Screenwriting, he has gone on to have a spectacularly unsuccessful career as a screenwriter — and a mediocre-at-best one working as a Script Supervisor, Production Assistant, Assistant Director, Editor and Post-Production Audio Engineer across a variety of film and television productions.

He also works as a Script Reader and in Development, so far managing to get precisely zero (0) projects into production.

In his spare time (lots), he endeavours at all times to cultivate an air of mystery. 🎬

MEET MOLLY ✨

Molly Qualter is an Irish film programmer, curator and marketer with a passion for silent film aswell as feminist and Irish film culture.

She has worked with leading film festivals, independent cinemas and arts organisations across Ireland, championing underrepresented voices through curation, panel discussions and film criticism.

Molly is currently studying for an MFA in Film Programming & Curation at the National Film and Television School, where she continues to explore new ways to make cinema accessible, engaging and

🎬🍻 THE KIFF FESTIVAL CLUB IS BACK!🍻🎬We’re delighted to be teaming up with Courtney’s Bar once again as the official KIFF...
27/08/2026

🎬🍻 THE KIFF FESTIVAL CLUB IS BACK!🍻🎬

We’re delighted to be teaming up with Courtney’s Bar once again as the official KIFF Festival Club!

Last year, we took over upstairs with a Pop-Up Gaeltacht, trad sessions, chats, craic and plenty of great conversations, bringing filmmakers, festival-goers and the local community together.

And this year? Expect more music, chats, good company and plenty of festival craic!

📍 Courtney’s Bar, Killarney
📅 15–18 October 2026

A huge congratulations to our Chair, Ailbhe Keogan, on being named a finalist for the 2026 WGI Zebbie Awards for her out...
25/08/2026

A huge congratulations to our Chair, Ailbhe Keogan, on being named a finalist for the 2026 WGI Zebbie Awards for her outstanding work on Trespasses!!✍️🎉

The Zebbie Awards are an important opportunity to shine a spotlight on the writers behind Ireland’s success in film, television, theatre, radio and audio drama, and to remind the industry that no production can exist without a script.

A proud Tralee native and hugely talented writer - wishing Ailbhe the very best for the awards on September 3rd. 👏✨

Address

International Hotel Killarney, Kenmare Place
Killarney
V93 PXK3

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Kerry International Film Festival posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Kerry International Film Festival:

Shortcuts

Share

Category