Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) is a renowned festival and key event taking place in October, primarily in the town of Killarney but with events occurring countywide. 2024 marks KIFF's 25th edition. It's a milestone we're very proud of. It has taken a lot of passion and perseverance to get us to this point. Two qualities that every decent filmmaker knows well. Short films are nearly always passion projects that require no end of perseverance. They rarely make money. Yet here at KIFF, we understand their singular value. They are a filmmaker's calling card, a chance to share your creative vision with an audience on a big screen. Every year the entries grow and the quality rises. This year KIFF is open for submissions on February 1st.

We are excited to sample emerging talent from all over the globe. We are ready to give every one the consideration it deserves. We are honoured to curate a final selection of films that reflects how much KIFF loves finding tomorrow's talent today.

Every year, KIFF reveals new talent with our comprehensive short film selection (Irish-Language, International, Irish, Kerry, Student, Animation). The Kerry International Film Festival also screens a carefully considered number of feature films, narrative, documentary, and animation, followed by Q&A sessions allowing audiences to engage with the filmmakers. We host a selection of industry events, talks and workshops.

For more information check out www.kerryfilmfestival.com

Awards & Prizes

Kerry International Film Festival, which takes place in October 2024, is inviting entries for competition in the following categories:

BEST INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE SHORT
BEST IRISH NARRATIVE SHORT
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
BEST STUDENT SHORT
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
BEST OF KERRY
BEST ANIMATION
BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
SCREENWRITING AWARD - BEST SCRIPT

Rules & Terms

FILM SUBMISSION INFORMATION:

By submitting to Kerry International Film Festival, you are agreeing to a possible online and/or physical screening of your work. The programming team will discuss this in more detail nearer to the event. Refunds will not be issued if you do not wish to screen the film online.

Each submission must be accompanied by a HIGH RES STILL IMAGE (not a poster image) and a 15 WORD SYNOPSIS. Please include a cover note if possible. We are keen to know more about you and your film.

Please submit to ONE category ONLY per film. If you wish us to note an additional category for your film, please use the cover note section to tell us!

For the Kerry Connection programme we would like to clearly know about the Kerry link to your film. What is your link to the Kingdom? Was your film made in Kerry? The more information, the better.

Please let us know if your film has an original score (add a note in the cover letter) as we have an award for Best Original Score.

Withdrawal will only be refunded if requested within two weeks from being submitted.

Students, please submit to the student category for all genres of film.

KIFF only accepts short films of NO LONGER than 30 minutes. (Including titles & credits)
Feature Films must be 55 minutes or over.

Films not in the English language must have subtitles.

The selection and scheduling of all films screened at KIFF 2024 is entirely at the discretion of the Festival Director and the Judging Panel.

Due to the large amount of submissions received, KIFF cannot enter into any discussion regarding films that are not selected for the 2024 edition of the festival. The festival is unable to send personal emails regarding films that are not selected and notification regarding the status of selection will be made via FilmFreeway notification.

Selected films will be announced on the KIFF website and in the media.

Short Film Screening Files: (Once Selected)

If selected the festival will request a ProRes 422 or ProRes LT Quicktime file with the following specifications only:

Frame size - 1920 x 1080
Frame rate - 24fps or 25fps

Audio 48khz 24bit stereo or 5.1

or

A H.264 file with the following specifications:
Frame size - 1920 x 1080
Frame rate - 24fps or 25fps
Bit rate - 12000kbps to 35000kbps.

Audio 48khz 24bit stereo

If selected, any web links used to transfer accepted formats should remain active until we have confirmed that we have downloaded and tested the film. Alternative versions will be required where it is evident that the technical requirements are not being met.

Please watch the file of your film IN FULL before sending to us. Our DCP technician will not be able to check your file for errors. Failure to adhere to the technical requirements may result in films not being screened.

Screening format for FEATURE FILMS will be DCP only and must be provided by the APPLICANT if selected.

KIFF will liaise with the filmmaker regarding screening formats after final decisions have been taken. Please check the email you submit your film with regularly. This is the method we will use to contact you. If there is no response to our emails, KIFF reserve the right to withdraw selection.

Images and press packs will be requested upon selection. These will be used for promotional purposes not limited to press, online media, television, radio and any other media platform.

Television and Internet broadcasting: Taking part in KIFF implies allowing broadcasting on Irish and foreign televisions and on the Internet (extracts limited to and not exceeding 1 min) for the purpose of promoting the festival.

KIFF does not pay screening fees for submitted work.

We request that applicants submit to Kerry International Film Festival only through the FilmFreeway portal. We do not accept DVDs, online links by email or social media messages etc. The festival has a small seasonal staff and we are not in a position to accept submissions in any other way. This allows our judging panel to view and select films in a fair manner.

All the films are watched by the panel and the judges make the final decision. There is no audience award at Kerry International Film Festival.

If entering your film to KIFF you must have the authority and licence for any music soundtrack on/in your film. You and/or the artists who own the music and/or their representatives waive rights to claim royalties from KIFF for screening selected films.

On submitting to the festival the applicant understands that he/she/they has a legal right to submit the film including ensuring all clearances have been obtained. By submitting to the festival the applicant agrees to the rules and terms.

**SHORT FILM SCREENWRITING COMPETITION 2024**

Submission Rules:

All scripts to be submitted in English or Irish, maximum 15 pages, via FilmFreeway only.

Must be original work of the author(s) and on date of submission must be wholly owned and controlled by author(s).

If the script has been sold, currently under option, is being produced, or is in any other way encumbered by a third party on the date of submission, the script is not eligible.  If a script is optioned, sold or produced after it has been entered, it is eligible

Only original screenplays are eligible.  Novels, short stories, stage plays, treatments and spec scripts for other media are not accepted.

Adaptations of books, plays or any other source materials written by another author are not eligible under any circumstances.  A script adapted from your own book, play or other source material is eligible if you have retained all rights to the property.

Once a script has been entered into the completion, under no circumstances will substitutions of new draft or corrected pages be accepted.  Revised drafts must be entered as a new submission.

Author(s) to be 18 years or older on date of submission.

Decisions of the Judges are final and may not be disputed.

Only the selected finalists will be individually notified and a list will be on the website and social media platforms  We regret we are unable to provide individual feedback on your submission.

SCREENWRITING AWARD WINNERS:

-Winner Trophy
-Access All Areas Pass to the 2024 Kerry International Film Festival Screenings
-Mentoring Opportunities with Industry Professionals
-A rehearsed reading of the script (covid permitting)

100 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Trish McAdam

    SONGS OF BLOOD AND DESTINY and myself were warmly welcomed to KIFF from the moment I was collected at the train and brought to my cosy Hotel. I got to see some great films in the programme and meet other filmakers and Eileen Walsh attending to received her well deserved Maureen O’Hara Award. Delighted I could attend.

    January 2024
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  • Lacye A Brown

    My horror short script, 'Straw on the Camel,' reaching the semi-final round at the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF), is a remarkable accomplishment that fills me with gratitude. KIFF, celebrated for its diverse and extensive selection of films, stands as a beacon of artistic excellence in the town of Killarney, shining a spotlight on emerging talents across various categories including Irish-Language, International, Irish, Kerry, Student, and Animation films. This festival not only showcases a rich array of narrative, documentary, and animated feature films but also fosters meaningful interactions through Q&A sessions, enabling a deeper connection between audiences and filmmakers. KIFF's dedication to discovering and nurturing new talent, as evidenced by its comprehensive short film selection, has provided an invaluable platform for 'Straw on the Camel' to be recognized and appreciated in a competitive, international arena.

    The Kerry International Film Festival also distinguishes itself with unique highlights such as the Maureen O’Hara Award, celebrating women's achievements in film, TV, and media. In 2022, the award's recipient, Actress and Writer Amy Humberman, exemplified the festival's commitment to honoring influential figures in the industry. Additionally, the IFTA Networking Event, in association with Screen Kerry, underscores KIFF's role in creating new opportunities within the film sector. This event, along with the support of Screen Kerry and Kerry County Council, highlights the festival's integral part in the broader film and television community. Being a part of KIFF, even as a semi-finalist, has been an enriching experience, underscoring the festival's pivotal role in nurturing and celebrating cinematic storytelling.

    December 2023
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  • Julien Allen

    Brilliant festival in such a wonderful location. Great communication from Declan too.

    December 2023
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  • Eliza Power

    I was thrilled to be a semi-finalist and impressed by the excellent communication from the festival throughout. Thank you for this opportunity, and congratulations to the winners!

    November 2023
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  • Alfonso Films

    We absolutely love Kerry International Film Festival and are always honoured to be a part of it. One of our favourite festivals ever, thank you for all the hospitality! We are already looking forward to next year!

    October 2023
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