Kerry on cusp of golden era of film

IT’S ALL IN PLAY FOR KERRY’S FILM INDUSTRY AT A TIME OF UNPREDENTED ACTIVITY WRITES FILM BLOGGER JOHN McCANN

NEXT month sees the inaugural May the Fourth Be With You Festival come to Kerry.

This four-day Star Warsthemed event capitalising on the global success of the county’s association with the franchise is a timely reminder of the formidable reputation that the region has formed within the film industry.

Famously Kerry has gained global attention throughout cinema history with its scenic beauty acting as a backdrop to such famous films as Ryans Daughter, Far and Away. More recently The Lobster as well as Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi continue to shine a strong light on the county as the ideal film location.

What is also apparent, is the high volume of talent we are now supplying within the industry. Proud Kerry man Michael Fassbender is one of Hollywood’s most reputable actors and Jessie Buckley star of the upcoming feature film Beast is also carving out quite a formidable career and is a name we are sure to hear a lot more of in the coming years.

Behind the camera, Killarney native Fódhla Cronin O’Reilly was just last year BAFTA nominated for her work as producer on the chilling Lady MacBeth and the directorial works of Gerard Barrett have earned him critical acclaim on the film festival circuit and strengthened his reputation within the industry.

Kerry also boasts no less than three films festivals : the Dingle International Film Festival, The Charlie Chaplin Film Festival in Waterville and the Kerry Film Festival with all three not only showcasing the best of local, national and international produced film but also the welcome and hospitality that only this county can provide.

Local support for the industry is also evident through the establishment of a new steering group made up of various agencies and experts with a view to promoting Kerry both as a film destination and encouraging development within the sector.

In addition, a €15,000 Bursary co funded by Kerry County Council and Arts Council Ireland is currently on offer for any film maker that chooses to shoot a short film in Kerry, which is further proof of the investment in film within the region.

The magnificent work of the Kerry ETB Training Centre has become the foundation for the long and successful careers of the creative film making talent being produced in Kerry, and is also another factor in the region’s success.

The healthy appetite and support for film within the viewing public throughout the county is also evident through the success of three independent cinemas in Killarney, Waterville and Listowel as well as the Omniplex in Tralee all enjoying huge audiences on a regular basis.

What is clear to all, is that the monumental success of film in Kerry runs a lot deeper than the influential attention that an iconic franchise like Star Wars can attract. It is the passion, talent and unmistakable scenic beauty within this county that will ensure that this golden era of film in Kerry continues for many years to come.

John McCann