Kerry Film Festival, which runs from 29th October to 5th November, was officially opened by Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan TD.  The opening reception took place at Siamsa Tíre, Tralee, on Saturday 29th October, and featured a screening of The River Feale, From Source to Sea.

The hour long documentary, originally commissioned by the Seanchaí Literary & Cultural Centre, Listowel, was filmed by Minister Deenihan with the help of RTÉ documentary maker Maurice Healy.  The film explores the historical, cultural, social and economic lives of the communities which live along the River Feale and how the river has inspired a generation of writers and artists.  Featuring stunning aerial photography and archive footage the documentary traces the Feale’s journey as it rises in North Cork and flows through West Limerick and North Kerry.

For the Minister whose constituency, like the Feale, spans North Kerry and West Limerick, the making of the documentary was a long time in the planning. In his opening address Minister Deenihan stated “I am delighted that the Kerry Film Festival chose to feature the documentary on ‘The River Feale’ as its opening event.  Coming from the banks of the river it has always been an integral part of our lives here, in and around Finuge and Listowel. It is particularly pleasing to see the story of The Feale captured on film for posterity and great credit is due to those who contributed to its making. The Kerry Film Festival is truly a festival for all ages. This year alone, over 2000 children have received film appreciation workshops through the Kerry Film Festival outreach programme”

The Minister also added “I am particularly looking forward to the work of the award winning director and cinematographer from Listowel, PJ Dillon – films to be shown include “My Brothers” & “Rewind” that will be screened at the Classic Cinema in Listowel.”

“It’s fitting that we can give pride of place to this locally made film which documents such a well loved feature of the county,” said KFF Director Sarah Smyth. “I’m delighted that the Minister could be here to help us kick-off a week long celebration of film from around the globe, and I can’t think of a better way to do it than with a film made right here.”

Kerry Film Festival continues until November 5th.

Kerry Film Festival, which takes place from 29th October to 5th November, is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to assist with the smooth running of the festival this year.  If you’re mad about film and want to play your part in putting on one of Kerry’s premier cultural events, then we want you!  Send us an email to info@kerryfilmfestival.com before 14th October, and tell us a bit about yourself

Kerry Film Festival is delighted to announce that this year’s panel of adjudicators will comprise a host of celebrated figures from the world of film.  In putting together the adjudication panel, KFF has drawn on the wide-ranging experience of some of the world’s most celebrated film professionals.

Cillian Murphy, a native of Cork who most recently appeared alongside Justin Timberlake, Olivia Wilde and Amanda Seyfried in Andrew Nichol’s IN TIME, and is also noted for his recent performances in INCEPTION and THE DARK NIGHT, will represent Irish film talent.  He will be joined by eminent animator Norton Virgien of Brown Bag Films, and Australian documentary maker Geoffrey Smith whose work has earned him numerous awards including an Emmy for feature documentary THE ENGLISH SURGEON.  In addition to these prominent figures, multiple Oscar winner Paul Greengrass, director of the hugely successful BOURNE series, will take part in judging this year’s KFF short film competitions.

Commenting on the impressive line-up, Kerry Film Festival Director Sarah Smyth said “We are delighted and honoured to announce that such an illustrious group of adjudicators have agreed to share their wealth of experience with us.    They will certainly have their work cut out with the quality and sheer number of entries that we have received this year.”

This year marks the twelfth Kerry Film Festival and the number of entries have continued to increase year on year with over five-hundred films submitted in total.  Winners will be announced for Best Film, Best Irish Short, Best International Short, Best Animation and Best Irish Documentary.  The variety of award categories corresponds directly with the disciplines of the individual adjudicators meaning that young and upcoming film-makers will have their submissions viewed by some of the most successful practitioners in their chosen fields.

Each year KFF also presents a highly popular Children’s Audience Award and the John Moore Audience Award, sponsored by the Irish-born director who is set to helm the fifth in the blockbuster DIE HARD series.

The Kerry Film Festival would like to thank The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Kerry County Council/ Comhairle Contae Chiarraí, Tralee Town Council / Comhairle Baile Thra Li, Siamsa Tire, Failte Ireland & Lyric FM.

KFF ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH ACCESS>CINEMA

Kerry Film Festival (KFF) today announced it has partnered with access>CINEMA in a new initiative that will see ten of the best Irish Short Films from Kerry Film Festival 2010 screen at locations throughout Ireland.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to partner with access>CINEMA and look forward to a selection of brilliant Irish short films finding an audience across Ireland. This partnership further cements Kerry Film Festival’s growing reputation as a launch pad for young up-and-coming Irish Film Makers,” said KFF Director, Sarah Smyth. “One of the hardest things for any filmmaker is to find an audience for their film but KFF has proved especially adept at it. We’ve partnered with a number of International Film Festivals and have been delighted with the reception Irish films have had abroad, with films from KFF 2010 playing in numerous destinations in the US, in the UK and right across Europe. Two of our films will even screen in New Zealand! While all that international success is great, this partnership with access>CINEMA is a new departure for us and will ensure that our filmmakers find a wider audience at home.”

“We’re very excited to partner with Kerry Film Festival on this new initiative,” said Maeve Cooke, director of access>CINEMA. “access>CINEMA has been at the forefront of finding an audience for quality independent film in Ireland and has had particular success recently with Irish features such as HIS & HERS. This new initiative will allow us to expand our offering while also promoting the work of indigenous film makers.”

access>CINEMA works with a wide number of film clubs and associated members that are located across the country from Kerry to Kildare and from Donegal to Dublin. It has been a valuable resource to these clubs for more than 30 years and provides everything to the clubs from assistance in setting up through to providing the clubs with film prints and publicity materials.

The various venues affiliated with access>CINEMA have expressed delight at the partnership and at the quality of the films selected. “We’re delighted with the Kerry Film Festival access>CINEMA partnership as we now have an extended list of fresh new films to choose from,” said Ian Wieczorek of Linenhall Film Club, Castlebar. “There is a large and growing number of film clubs across Ireland affiliated with access>CINEMA and we have a great appetite for all things film. This partnership feeds right into that and it’s wonderful to see such a selection of indigenous short films made available. We’d like to thank access>CINEMA, Kerry Film Festival and, of course, the filmmakers involved for allowing us to screen their work. The future of the Irish film industry is certainly in safe hands with such talented young filmmakers working in the country!”

Sarah Smyth echoes that last sentiment, “While this partnership with access>CINEMA is hugely important to us, it’s essential to give the real credit to the film makers. The quantity and quality of Irish films submitted to KFF has improved massively over the years and the ten short films selected here would happily grace any festival or distribution slate. We’d like to express our thanks to all the filmmakers involved and to further thank the Irish Film Board, RTE and other funders who are brave enough to support these unique artists. We’re just happy to be associated with such wonderful little films.”

The films selected for the top ten Irish Films from Kerry Film Festival 2010 are:

GETTING AIR

Ireland 2010 8 min Colour

‘Getting Air’ is an urban basketball drama about three teenage friends struggling to connect with each other and the adults in their lives. When they meet two members of the police, relationships with their family and the law take a turn.

Director: Mark Noonan

RUNNERS
Ireland 2009 15 min Colour
For eighteen-year-old, Derek, running drugs isn’t a big deal, it’s just a job. But juggling a relationship, family and his ‘career’ isn’t easy. Something’s gotta give!

Directors: Ronan & Rob Burke

COLD TURKEY
Ireland 2009 11min 6 sec Colour
‘Cold Turkey’ follows the misadventures of a frustrated Foley artist, curious children and petrified poultry!

Director: Gavin Keane

THE POOL
Ireland 2010 11 min 45 sec Colour

The Pool is a drama about three teenage boys who break into their school swimming pool one night in order to stage a macho breath holding contest. But as the night goes on the loud, brash Charlie begins to tease the overweight, child-like Sam.

Director: Thomas Hefferon

NOREEN
Ireland 2010 18 min Colour

Two policemen learn life lessons on a house-call in rural Ireland. Frank is young and heartbroken. Con is middle-aged and weary. They’re both alone. And they’re both idiots!

Director: Domhnall Gleeson

MOORE STREET MASALA
Ireland 2009 5 min Colour

Shop Clerk, Baba, falls for the sexy estate agent across the street. When he sells her lunch, she steals his heart. There is only one way their love can make it!

Director: David O’ Sullivan

BYE BYE NOW!
Ireland 2010 15 min Colour
An amusing and poignant documentary about the Irish phone box and its move from the centre of society to the verge of extinction. Bye Bye Now! is a bitter-sweet tribute to the phone box, a historical document and a barometer of how much we’ve changed!
Director: Aideen O’ Sullivan & Ross Whitaker

CHRISTMAS SWIM
Ireland 2010 4 min Colour

While for most Christmas day is about warm fires, steaming turkey, and mulled wine, locals in county Kerry, Ireland dust off the cobwebs of Christmas eves forays by stripping down to their briefs and facing the freezing Atlantic seas for the annual Christmas Swim.

Director: Keith Mannix

CROSSWORD
Ireland 2010 13 min 13 sec Colour

Heather is on the verge of turning 40. She’s stuck in a dead-end job and has nothing in common with her younger colleagues. She’s single and alone with very few friends except for the bar maid in the pub she visits after work. Heather doesn’t let it grind her down. Instead she takes comfort and solace in the small pleasures in life, particularly the daily crossword which she attempts each day, religiously.

Director: Vincent Gallagher

DÚN CHAOIN
Ireland 2010 7min Black & White

Non-narrative documentary exploring the work and methods of the renowned Irish artist, Maria Simonds-Gooding, who is based in Dún Chaoin, Co. Kerry. The film features a poem by award winning poet and writer, David McLoghlin, and is narrated by Dominic West.

Directed By: Lanka Haouche Perren

GET FESTIVAL FIT WITH GALWAY FILM CENTRE

Galway Film Centre are offering a day long workshop examining both the creative and technical aspects of entering your film into film festivals. This workshop will hopefully give filmmakers a better understanding of what kind of films work well within the festival circuit. The first half of the day will examine what is required to enter a festival. The second half of the day will look at what a festival wants from a film and how a jury makes decisions. Examples of work will be looked at throughout the day.

Tutor Adele Smyth has been the Competition Manager of the Foyle Film Festival for the last four years, working with organizations such as withoutabox.com, BAFTA and the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences. Adele has dedicated considerable time and research into film festival entry and hopes that participants in her new series of workshops will find that, with some guidance, film festival entry is not as difficult as it might seem.

Date: 11am – 5.30pm, September 22nd, 2011.
Cost: €30 members/ €40 non-members.
Venue: Galway Film Centre, Cluain Mhuire
More info on the above from Mary Deely at 091-770748 or email education@galwayfilmcentre.ie

The Award Ceremony was the culmination of a week of films at Kerry Film Festival, which began on Saturday, October 29th. The winning films were selected by Kerry Film Festival’s illustrious adjudication panel which included Paul Greengrass, Cillian Murphy, Norton Virgien and Geoffrey Smith and by the KFF audience.

The adjudicators and audience had the unenviable task of selecting the best films from the festival with over five hundred films submitted to the 2011 Kerry Film Festival.

Here are the results…..

The Best Animated Short Film as adjudicated by Norton Virgien

THE LIFE, DEATH AND SUFFER STORY- Directed by Anna Fitzsimmons

Special Mention goes to Birdboy directed by Pedro Rivero

The Best Documentary Short as adjudicated by Geoffrey Smith
SCENT OF STRAWBERRIES – Directed by Guy Natanel

The Best Student Short as adjudicated by Grainne Humphreys, Jameson Dublin International Film Festival

THE CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSE – Directed by Brian Dunsten

The Best Irish Narrative Short as adjudicated by Cillian Murphy

BULLDOG – Directed by Steve Earles

The Best Short Film / Director as adjudicated by Paul Greengrass

IT’S NATURAL TO BE AFRAID – Directed by Justin Doherty / Written by Neil Fox

The Audience Award

NEITZSCHE NO 5 – Directed by Shaun O’Connor

FILM APPRECIATION WORKSHOPS CONTINUE IN RUN UP TO KERRY FILM FESTIVAL

Pictured following the KFF Film Appreciation Workshop at The St John Of God Centre, Tralee were (Back L to R) Sinead Downes, Margaret O Sullivan, Bronagh Enright, Edwina Neilan, Niamh O’ Connor, Michael Murphy, Helen Roche, Alan Murray. (Front L-R) Theresa Mc Guigan Foley, Orla Murphy, Vanessa Meehan, Mairead Farmer

With the eleventh Kerry Film Festival only a couple of months away, preparations are in full swing and attention has turned to re-awakening the love of film among the people of Kerry.  To this end, Kerry Film Festival has been continuing its programme of film appreciation workshops around the county.

Prior to Kerry schools breaking up for the summer vacation, the focus of the KFF Film Appreciation Workshops was on primary schools.  Festival Coordinators Edwina Neilan and Sinead O’Sullivan traversed the county bringing a treasure-trove of the best short films of 2010 to the filmmakers of tomorrow. During the workshops, pupils were given the chance to be film critics, being encouraged to award stars to their favourite KFF shorts.  They were also encouraged to think about the various aspects of film making and try their hand at designing their own movie characters.  The work of the pupils was nothing less than inspiring, and the Kerry Film Festival Facebook page now boast scores of the characters, all testament to the burgeoning creativity among the young people of Kerry.

The KFF primary school workshops will resume with the new term, however the Kerry Film Festival’s mission to bring the joy of short films to Kerry people continues.  In recent weeks the workshops have been revamped to suit an adult audience, and KFF Education Coordinator Edwina Neilan has been back on the road delivering them to people availing of the services of Enable Ireland in Blennerville, The Saint John of God Centre, Tralee, and The Coolgraine Training Centre, Killarney.

“So many of those participating in the workshops have shown real creative talents when designing movie characters and storyboards”, said Edwina. “It was great craic and everyone really enjoyed themselves.  I’ve been repeatedly asked when I’m coming back, and people are very enthusiastic about attending the Kerry Film Festival now they’ve had a taste of what will be on offer,” she continued, emphasising that interested community groups and organisations still have time to arrange a workshop in the run up to the festival.-

For more information on Kerry Film Festival’s education programme please contact 066 712 9934 or emailedwina@kerryfilmfestival.com

KFF Films Selected for New Zealand

Kerry Film Festival (KFF) is delighted to announce that two of last year’s films have been selected to screen at the Show Me Shorts Film Festival in New Zealand. The news further confirms KFF as an increasingly effective career spring-board for emerging Irish filmmakers.

The selected short films are CROSSWORD, directed by Vincent Gallagher, and COLD TURKEY, directed by Gavin Keane.

CROSSWORD by Vincent Gallagher

We are pleased to have formed a relationship with the Kerry Film Festival, and impressed with the range of shorts being produced in Ireland,” said Gina Dellabarca, director of the Show Me Shorts Film Festival in New Zealand. “CROSSWORD and COLD TURKEY are irreverent, original and witty short films that make great ambassadors for the Irish film industry. We believe the New Zealand audiences will respond warmly to the quirky sense of humour and lyrical whimsy that both encapsulate. We look forward to seeing more Irish films in our programme in future.”

Cold Turkey by Gavin Keane

“We’re delighted that both films were selected for the Show Me Shorts Film Festival,” said KFF’s Jason O’ Mahony. “We absolutely love the short films that we screen and we want the whole world to love them too! Offering young up-and-coming Irish film makers a hand and helping them get their work seen at other festivals is what we’re all about.”

Over the past four years, KFF has forged links with a variety of international film festivals transforming KFF into an event that not only offers young Irish filmmakers an opportunity to screen their films at home but serves as a portal to festivals abroad.

“Our job is actually quite easy, given the quality of the short films that are currently being made in Ireland!” added O’ Mahony with a laugh. “CROSSWORD and COLD TURKEY are wonderful little films that are expertly crafted and an absolute joy to watch. Everyone involved in the shorts from Vincent and Gavin, the directors, to Filmbase and RTE, who helped fund the films, deserve huge credit. For our part, we’re just happy to be able to promote work of such quality. I’ve no doubt that Vincent and Gavin are directors to watch out for and I’m pretty sure both have a very bright film-future!”

Show Me Shorts is an annual, national film festival showcasing the best new short filmmaking talent. Launched in 2006, it screens every November in cinemas across New Zealand.

A particularly discerning festival, Show Me Shorts selects just 40 films from the hundreds of entries submitted. The final selection covers a diverse range of themes and subjects, including horror, drama, animation, comedy and everything in between.

Show Me Shorts offers a series of awards with adjudicators from the film industry helping to decide on the winners, with judges looking for high production values and originality. The festival awards are presented to the winning filmmakers at the opening night in Auckland. For more information on Show Me Shorts, please log onto www.showmeshorts.co.nz

Kerry Film Festival is supported through grant aid from The Arts Council, Kerry County Council and Failte Ireland and by the generous sponsorship of more than 70 small businesses from all over Kerry.

Kerry Film Festival Children’s Workshops

Listowel Presentation Primary Schools 4th Class enjoying the recent KFF workshops

Kerry Film Festival has been on the road in recent months bringing a series of film appreciation workshops to primary schools across the county. The workshops gave 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 were also encouraged to think about various aspects of film-making and have a go at designing their own movie 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 would 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 been very impressed with the enthusiasm and creativity of the students especially when designing their characters. “It’s very inspiring to witness the students’ imaginations at work and we hope to include as many of their designs as possible in this years festival programme.”

Due to the overwhelming interest from primary schools all over County Kerry the workshops are due to resume after the summer break and Edwina is encouraging interested primary schools to get involved.

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

KERRY FILM FESTIVAL CONTINUES CLASSIC SCREENINGS AT SIAMSA TIRE

Rose O Connor, Margaret Sheehan, Nora Rooney and Aishling Hayes get ready to take their seats at the KFF Active Retired screening of NATIONAL VELVET

Lovers of classic cinema are in for a treat next Wednesday at 2pm as Kerry Film Festival continues its programme of Active Retired Screenings withCASABLANCA at Siamsa Tire.

Winner of the Oscar for best picture in 1943, CASABLANCA is consistently voted as one of the top-ten movies of all time. Directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart, the film is set in unoccupied Africaduring the early days of World War II. It is an excellent example of Bogart at his best, playing an American expatriate who meets a former lover (Bergman) with unforeseen complications.

Last month the KFF Active Retired screening featured Clarence Brown’s NATIONAL VELVET, a full colour feature dating back to 1944. Leaving the auditorium, much of the conversation focussed on the quality of the performances of both Elizabeth Taylor and Mickey Rooney, and how the film had kept patrons on the edge of their seats.

Kerry Film Festival holds active retired screenings on the first Wednesday of each month in Siamsa Tire, Tralee. Aimed at the seasoned film enthusiast, admission to the screenings is just €2 for anyone over the age of sixty-five, and refreshments are provided free of charge by Kerry Film Festival. Recent screenings have included, THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER starring Robert Mitchum, and the previously mentioned 1944 Oscar winner NATIONAL VELVET.

“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,” said KFF Coordinator Niall Burman-Roy. “So the KFF Active Retired screenings at Siamsa Tíre are a great opportunity for seasoned film enthusiasts to see a classic movie on a big screen.”

In addition to featuring movies which are rarely seen on a big screen, Kerry Film Festival’s Active Retired Screenings are also a great social occasion offering an opportunity to chat with other film-lovers and catch up with friends. There is always a friendly atmosphere reminiscent of the golden age of cinema-going, from the plush red seats in Siamsa to the tangible sense of anticipation before the feature begins to the appreciative round of applause when the credits roll.

Screenings will continue throughout the summer, taking place on the first Wednesday of each month, and all are welcome to attend.

Upcoming KFF Active Retired Screenings:

July 6^th CASABLANCA (1942)

August 3^rd ARSENIC & OLD LACE (1944)

September 7^th ROMAN HOLIDAY (1953)

For more information on the Kerry Film Festival Active Retired Screenings contact 066 7129934 or email info@kerryfilmfestival.com

KERRY FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATES AS WINNING FILMS HIT LONDON’S WEST-END

Kerry Film Festival is celebrating the inclusion of six of last year’s winning short films in theRushes Soho Shorts Festival (RSSF). The shorts will form an entire programme, curated by Kerry Film Festival, at the RSSF which will be held in London’s West-End from the 20^th to the 29^th of July.

“We’re constantly pushing for our winning directors’ work to be screened at as many international film festivals as possible, and it’s fantastic to see a festival like the Rushes Soho Shorts Festival dedicating an entire programme to KFF shorts,” said KFF Director, Jason O’ Mahony. “While we’ve always been committed to bringing film and film makers to Kerry, one of the world’s most beautiful locations, we’re equally as enthusiastic about bringing the fantastic short films that screen here to as wide an audience as possible.”

Kerry Film Festival is continuing to forge partnerships with film festivals across the world to find outlets for emerging Irish film makers. Over the last four years an extensive network has developed and continues to help promote the work of Irish film makers abroad. “We absolutely love the films that we screen and we want the world to love them as much as we do. One of the hardest things for film makers to do is to create an audience for their films and at KFF we try to make that task a little bit easier,” continued O’ Mahony.

Anna Rodgers, Director of IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK, which won Best Documentary Short at KFF 2010 said, “I’m absolutely thrilled that my film is to be screened at this year’s Rushes Soho Short Film Festival. It’s a great credit to Kerry Film Festival that a screening there can lead to so much more exposure,” she continued.

The news of the KFF programme being included at RSSF comes only weeks after it was announced that winning Irish shorts from KFF 2010, RUNNERS and PASSING are also to screen at the Nickel Film Festival in Canada this month.

Kerry film maker, Keith Mannix, who directed the Audience Award winning short film at KFF 2010 is similarly thrilled to have his film screen in London. His film, THE CHRISTMAS SWIM, which documents the traditional Christmas dip in the sea at Banna Strand, Co. Kerry is a real crowd-pleaser. Keith said “I’m delighted that my film will be shown at the Rushes Soho Short Film Festival. It was quiet an experience making the film and I wonder what the reaction inLondon will be to our Christmas tradition.”

Rushes Soho Shorts Festival is a not-for-profit festival celebrating the wealth of talent working across all genres of short film including live action drama, documentary, animation, music video, and broadcast design including online or mobile content, title sequences, and idents. Productions entered consistently feature a host of recognisable names and faces alongside gifted ‘unknowns’, showcasing global filmmaking talent. The work of newcomers and established film makers is promoted by screening work at cinemas, screening rooms and cafes throughout Soho and London’s West End.

Kerry Film Festival is delighted to announce that the recipient of this years Maureen O’Hara Award for women who have excelled in the art of film, will be celebrated actress Fionnula Flanagan.

Described as one of the most varied actresses in film history Fionnula Flanagan has made an impact on the stage, in feature films, and on the small screen.  Most recently she appeared in The Guard with Brendan Gleeson and Dom Cheadle and is well known as the recurring character Eloise Hawking in ABC’s TV phenomenon Lost.

The intensity and variety of her work is evident in her remarkable filmography which includes feature films James Joyce’s Women, Ulysses, Waking Ned, A State of Emergency, Reflections, Final Verdict, the Academy Award winning In The Region of Ice and the critically acclaimed Some Mother’s Son, in which she starred with Helen Mirren.

‘I am delighted and very honoured to be invited to receive the Maureen O’Hara Award at the Kerry Film Festival 2011′ commented Flanagan. ‘It is fitting and generous of Maureen to lend her name to an award that acknowledges the work of actresses following in her footsteps, who are as passionate about film as she herself proved to be in her long and successful career as a true Hollywood film star. I am proud to be able to support the Kerry Film Festival since in these troubling economic times, not just for Ireland, but for the whole world, I believe it is important to keep the arts alive. It is the painters, the poets, the storytellers, the film makers who give us all a different way of looking at life, who remind us of our frailty, our longing, and our potential. However, of all the arts film is unique.  Through the lens of the camera we get to see the power contained in the mere raising of an eyebrow, the averting of the gaze, the smile suppressed, and we realize we are all members of the human family. Racially, culturally, politically, religiously, we are all different, and nuanced in our diversity. However, it is the intimate, indelible images captured by the film camera that offer us, seated together in the dark,  the sense memory and anticipation, deep in our DNA, of having our hearts broken. And that is how we know we are human. Perhaps it is the only proof we really have.

‘I will be thrilled to present Fionnula Flanagan with this year’s award at the Kerry Film Festival’, said Maureen O’Hara, ‘It’s a pleasure to honour such a remarkable actress who epitomises all that the award has come too represent over the last four years.’

Kerry Film Festival’s Maureen O’Hara Award, kindly sponsored by Killarney Crystal, acknowledges women who have excelled in film, being named in honour of O’Hara who is undoubtedly one of Hollywood’s best loved actresses.  Past recipients include Juliette Binoche, Rebecca Miller, and Brenda Fricker.

The award ceremony which takes place at Siamsa Tíre in Tralee at 2.00pm on November 5th, is the culmination of a week long celebration of film at the Kerry Film Festival with new Irish and international short film competitions, special feature screenings, workshops and events.  It will be hosted by radio and TV personality, Dave Fanning and will feature screenings of the winning short films as selected by this year’s illustrious adjudicators Paul Greengrass, Norton Virgien and Cillian Murphy.

How to Deal with Annoying Cinema Customers

The Alamo Drafthouse, an American theatre chain, has come up with a way of dealing with customers that talk or text on their phone – kick them out!

Tim League, the founder of the cinema, says that the woman in question was warned twice about texting during the film and then was escorted out of the cinema without a refund.

The woman then called the cinema and left a long, rambling message complaining about her treatment, not to be outdone, however, the cinema is now using that voice message as a warning to all other customers not to use their phone or they’ll be turfed out too!