Airport to be main sponsors of Kerry Film Festival

The 22nd iteration of the film festival is due to take place from October 14 to 17 and  the organisers say the sponsorship deal has provided a significant boost to the event.

Festival organisers and airport management said that a common goal of both organisations is the promotion of Kerry on a global scale, and this shared ambition had played a significant role in the agreement of the sponsorship deal.

To celebrate Kerry Airport’s support, KIFF have introduced The Kerry Airport Take Flight Award which will recognise up and coming new talent in the film industry.

Chair of the KIFF board Grace O’ Donnell, said the festival team are “very excited” about the collaboration with the airport.

“We see this as a natural progressive partnership. For most of our visitors to the festival, stepping off the plane at Kerry Airport is their first taste of Kerry. Kerry Airport is the gateway to Kerry and we feel KIFF is the gateway to film in the County,” Ms O’Donnell said.

“We look forward to working with CEO of Kerry Airport John Mulhern along with his team at the airport to make KIFF one of the most important film festivals in the World and to continuously support Kerry as a destination,” she said.

KIFF board member Ailbhe Keogan praised the role Kerry Airport has played in the county’s burgeoning film industry.

Ms Keogan is a screen writer and Kerry native whose latest script Joyride was recently filmed in the Tralee area with Oscar winner Olivia Colman in the lead role and several scenes shot in Kerry Airport.

“Personally, as a film-maker, I've been grateful to Kerry Airport for many years now. I've travelled abroad to make important connections and brought these collaborators home to Kerry. Partnering with Kerry Airport enables KIFF to do likewise; to make meaningful connections with an international film community so that we can offer the richest festival we can,” Ms Keogan said.

Kerry Airport CEO John Mulhern said the Airport is proud to support the festival.

"The benevolent and lasting relationship between the arts and County Kerry is one which is acclaimed all over the globe. How could Kerry Airport resist the opportunity to partner with KIFF and with them celebrate both renowned and emerging talent in their craft. We look forward to October with much anticipation”.

Last year the festival was held exclusively online due to Covid restrictions. While the organisers hope to host physical gatherings this year, this is yet to be decided and the full festival schedule will be announced shortly