KFF Issues Call for Entries for 12th Edition

Juliette Binoche pictured with Maureen O'Hara after receiving the Maureen O' Hara Award at last year's KFF

KFF offers thousands of Euro in cash prizes and a prestigious showcase for new film makers

Kerry Film Festival (KFF), the biggest little film festival in the world, has issued a call for entries for the 2011 edition of its prestigious festival. KFF will run from October 29th to November 5th, and is offering thousands of euro in cash prizes to up and coming film makers.

The main feature of Kerry Film Festival is a short film competition that focuses on young film makers and awards prizes in a number of different categories including Best Irish Film, Best International Film, Best Documentary Film and Best Animated Film. Winning films are selected by a world class panel of adjudicators, with KFF adjudicators including such leading lights as Jeremy Irons, Noel Pearson, Liam Neeson and Gabriel Byrne. KFF also presents the Maureen O' Hara award to a lady that has excelled in film, with Oscar winning actress Juliette Binoche picking up the award in 2010, which was presented by Maureen O' Hara herself.

KFF has, over the last four years, increased audience numbers from 1,500 in 2006 to close to 10,000 in 2010, making it one of the premiere film festivals in Ireland. KFF is celebrating its 12th birthday this year and will bring films and film makers to the most beautiful location. There has been particularly strong international interest in KFF over the past few years, with film makers from all over the globe submitting work. In fact entries for the 2011 edition have already come flooding in from as far away as Brazil and Korea and from as close to home as Ballina and Killarney. KFF director, Jason O' Mahony, is delighted with the response so far and is hopeful that 2011 will be another bumper year for entries. "Last year we received 548 entries, which was fantastic for us. We've had a wonderfully strong response so far this year with close to 200 movies already received and we're still months away from the deadline. I'd love to see an increase in the number of films submitted and would encourage all film makers to send in their work. KFF is a special little festival, we've screenings all over the Kingdom with films showing in Tralee, Killarney, Dingle, Listowel, Kenmare, Waterville and Caherciveen, which makes us one of the most geographically dispersed festivals, not only in Ireland, but in the whole world, but we're still an intimate little festival and all the filmmakers that come have a wonderful time."

The focus of Kerry Film Festival is, as always, on young, up-and-coming filmmakers, giving the KFF audience an opportunity to see and love the work of directors before they become widely known. "Because the film making process is such an expensive one, and because the money for film making is so tightly controlled, most directors cut their teeth on the short film format," said O' Mahony. "In 2009, for example we screened The Crush – it was the world premier of a film which went on to garner awards and accolades from festivals all over the globe – including being short listed for an Oscar. Our audience had a chance to see the film before anyone else and the response to the film was phenomenal."

While KFF is an intimate little festival, the quality of both the films and the panel of adjudicators consistently punch above the festival's weight. Having such well respected adjudicators view and select the winning films is a huge advantage to winning filmmakers. "It's one of the unique strengths of KFF," added O' Mahony, "We offer young filmmakers a chance to have their work seen by respected pros and, if their film is selected, then the kudos which goes along with having their film selected will hopefully help them take the next step in their careers."

KFF also has an extensive partnership with festivals around the globe with festivals in the US, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Finland and the UK all screening the winning shorts from Kerry. As winning film maker Declan Cassidy explains, "Kerry Film Festival is the film festival which just keeps on giving! It was a wonderfully warm experience. The staff and organisers are genuinely concerned about ensuring that we, the film makers, had a wonderful time."

"The award I won there has commanded a lot of respect in promoting the film to industry and other festivals. But it didn't stop there. Festival Director, Jason O' Mahony, has forged an extremely impressive network with other festivals and he worked tirelessly to promote my film to them. As a result my film played in a number of festivals it would not have otherwise reached and, to my surprise and delight, the film picked up another award at one of these in Italy. Kerry Film Festival is the kind of festival you want to go back to again and again."

For more information and to download an application form please click here. The closing date for submissions is August 1st.

Thoroughly civilised afternoon at the pictures enjoyed by seniors at Siamsa Tíre

Marie Duffy and Cathy Kelliher get ready to take their seats at Siamsa Tíre

When we get a bit older we're probably not too pushed about going to see a computer-generated vision of the apocalypse, or a teenage flesh-fest, or to take a three-dimensional trip to the intergalactic jungle home of extra-terrestrial smurf-like creatures. Our appetite for hot-dogs, nachos, titanic sized portions of popcorn and buckets of fizz will perhaps diminish somewhat as we advance in our years, and we may wish for a more elegant and demure way to enjoy a great movie on a big screen in the company of our peers.

If that does happen to me someday, I hope that Kerry Film Festival's active retired screenings are still being held at Siamsa Tire.

In spite of my tender years I was lucky enough to be present Wednesday afternoon’s screening of The Night of the Hunter, a classic dating back to 1955 starring Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters and Lillian Gish. There was a great atmosphere as film lovers gathered for tea, coffee and biscuits, chatting to friends and admiring some of the artwork on display around Siamsa Tire, prior to the film.

The monthly active retired screenings will continue at 2pm on June 1st with 1944 classic National Velvet starring Mickey Rooney and Elizabeth Taylor. All films cost just €2 to anyone over the age of sixty-five and refreshments are provided by Kerry Film Festival.

It’s a great social occasion as well as a unique opportunity for seasoned film enthusiasts to see some fantastic films on the big screen, and without a smurf in sight.

For more information, please call Kerry Film Festival on 066 712 9934.

KERRY FILM FESTIVAL BRINGING FILM APPRECIATION WORKSHOPS TO PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Kerry Film Festival bringing film appreciation workshops to primary schools

Kerry Film Festival is on the road, bringing a series of film appreciation workshops to primary schools across the county. The workshops which will run until the end of the school term, will give pupils an opportunity to view a selection of the winning short films from last year's Kerry Film Festival and award stars to their favourites. They will also be encouraged to consider various aspects of film-making and have the chance to design their own characters.

The free workshops have been tailored to suit primary school children from first to sixth class and are designed to encourage an enthusiasm for film. It's hoped that instilling a love of film as young as possible will inspire the next generation of Irish film makers and maintain Ireland's and Kerry's reputation as a hub of creativity and imagination.

"Ireland has always been known for its literary output and Kerry has produced more than its fair share. If Ireland can produce world class writers then there’s no reason on earth it can’t produce world class film makers", said Kerry Film Festival Director, Jason O' Mahony.

"If you listen to directors like Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg they always say that their love of film making started when they were kids, and that’s exactly what we’re trying to engender - a love of film making in children. We want the next generation’s Spielberg to come from Kerry!"

Kerry Film Festival's Education Coordinator Edwina Neilan, says she has already had a great response from primary schools across the county. "It's been terrific to get such a good reaction to the education programme and I'd encourage all Kerry primary schools to get involved", she said.

For more information on Kerry Film Festival's education programme contact 066 7129934 or email edwina@kerryfilmfestival.com.

Indian Film Festival comes to Siamsa

A unique and exciting collaboration between Siamsa Tire and the Indian Film Festival of Ireland will bring an Indian film to Tralee on Friday, May 13!

RAJNEETI, which literally means "politics", is a film by Prakash Jha and it will be the center piece of an exotic evening of events.

The evening kicks off with a delicious tasting of Indian food, which will be followed by an inspirational Indian classical dance performance by the well known artist Ashwani Kalsekar.

Then renowned Indian Directors, Vishal Bhardwaj, Anusha Rizvi, Rekha Bhardwaj and Atul Tiwari will introduce the film. They'll be joined on stage by Siraj Zaidi, the Director of the Indian Film Festival of Ireland.

Tickets for the whole evening are available from the box office at Siamsa Tire on 066 712 3055 and are reasonably priced at just €6 to €11 per person. Fantastic offers and deals are also available for families and group packages.

FILM & PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS HELD AT ST BRENDAN’S COLLEGE, KILLARNEY

Budding paparazzi from St Brendan's College, Killarney enjoyed a lesson with a difference on their return to school this week when Kerry Film Festival and the Irish Film Institute presented a morning of workshops on the history and basic principles of photography and film appreciation.

Mike Foley, of Kerry Film Festival and Foghlú Foto, first explained the development of photography, displaying an array of cameras ranging from one of the earliest models to modern digital equipment. Students learned about the influences of early cameras on 16th century art and were invited to compare the merits of digital Vs traditional film. They learned more about composing a photograph and some of the tricks of the trade from seasoned snapper Mike.

Baz Al-Rawi of the Irish Film Institute then gave the students a fascinating presentation into just how much work and thought is involved in film-making, focussing on the ways in which various aspects add meaning and symbolism which extend far beyond the dialogue. The reaction of the students to Baz and Mike’s workshops revealed fascinating insights into the technological environment in which today’s students are learning. This was particularly evident when it emerged that only one of the students who attended the history of photography workshop had used a traditional ‘film’ camera, and that the most familiar clips shown to students at the film appreciation workshop were made using computer generated imagery (CGI), highlighting the convergence of cinematography and video-game development.

Teacher Simon Moore said the students had really enjoyed the workshops, which were a very pleasant way to return to school after the Easter break.

Kerry Film Festival and Kerry Bicycle Festival to join forces for 'Race Across America'

Kerry Film Festival is teaming up with Kerry Bicycle Festival to present the feature length cycling documentary film Race Across America at 8pm on Friday 6th May at Siamsa Tire, Tralee. The screening will mark the start of a week of bicycle themed festivities which will be launched at Siamsa Tire at 6:30pm the same evening.

Race across America tells the story of one of the world's toughest sporting events where competitors pedal three-thousand miles across America. Often cycling for twenty-two hours a day with one hour of sleep, the brave souls who accept the challenge must find and crush their physical, emotional and spiritual limits or risk being left humbled somewhere on the roads of America.

"We're delighted to be bringing this fascinating documentary to the Kerry Bicycle Festival. The Bicycle Festival organisers have put together a great programme and the launch will be a fantastic evening." said Jason O'Mahony, Kerry Film Festival Director. "Thankfully, I understand that the events planned for the Bicycle Festival will be considerably more leisurely and family friendly, and will not require anyone to challenge their physical or emotional endurance," he added.