The team members behind the Kerry International Film Festival, which celebrated its 23rd edition with over 30 events in Killarney and Dingle at the weekend, said they were overwhelmed with the level of interest and backing they received during the four days of the festival.
Pictures: James Maher
They said the support was very evident with the number of attendees at screenings, events and industry talks as well as via the phenomenal support from local businesses, hoteliers, sponsors and supporters.
This year’s festival received the largest number of film submissions to date which resulted in a dynamic programme that attracted audiences, filmmakers, industry talent and film enthusiasts. The festival played host a selection of sold-out screenings, including the powerful and moving opening film Tarrac.
Programme Director Eibh Collins said: “This was by far our biggest festival to date and we are so grateful to the Kerry and Irish film community for coming out in droves.”
The KIFF 2022 awards ceremony took place on Sunday in the Great Southern Hotel, Killarney with accolades presented to a number of outstanding film makers, directors, script writers and producers.
Basil Sheerin, Kerry Airport Ireland, presented the Taking Flight Award, celebrating emerging talent in film, sponsored by Kerry Airport, to this year’s worthy recipient Laura O’Shea and the Best of Kerry Award went to Jessica Courtney Leen who wrote, directed, and acted in her remarkable short film Not My Sister.
This year’s Trua Award went to film producer and programmer, Mira Oyetoro who curated an original program of Ukrainian films titled Be Brave Like Ukraine.
After the awards ceremony Pat Shortt showcased his directorial debut via his short film, Warts & All at the screening cinema room in the Great Southern Hotel Killarney and it was followed by a questions and answers session with Pat Shortt and producer Lee Crowley.
KIFF 2022 AWARD WINNERS
2022 Maureen O’Hara Award: Amy Huberman
BEST OF KERRY: Not My Sister. (Jessica Courtney Leen)
BEST INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE SHORT: WanderLand (Nicole Pott)
BEST ANIMATION: Before Her Body Left (Yuxin Yang)
BEST STUDENT SHORT: Sucking Diesel (Sam McGrath)
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: Don’t Go Where I Can’t Find You (Benedict Schlepper-Connolly and Garett Sholdice)
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: And Still I Sing (Fazila Amiri)
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT: My Name Is Joseph (Seán Murray)
BEST IRISH NARRATIVE SHORT: Burn It All (Jack Hickey)
BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE: Lakelands (Robert Higgins and Patrick McGiveny)
SCREENWRITING AWARD: At the Foot of a Mountain, At the Edge of the World (Eoin Joseph Duncum)
Special Recommendation: Sleeper (Gavin McClenaghan)
TRUA AWARD: Mira Oyetoro
TAKING FLIGHT, RISING TALENT AWARD: Laura O’Shea
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