Who we are | KIFF - Kerry International Film Festival

The Team

Eibh collins - festival programme

KIFF are delighted to be working with Eibh for the third year. Formally the manager of IndieCork and Irish Film London, Eibh, as well as being Head of Programming for Kerry International Film Festival, is the short film programmer for the Oscar-qualifying Galway Film Fleadh and the Deputy Director for Irish Screen America. And as if that’s not enough, Eibh is also a preselector for a collection of International festivals including Encounters Short Film Festival. You’d be hard-pushed to find a human alive that’s seen more short films than our Eibh. She has also curated and coordinated dozens of Irish Focuses for a selection of major international festivals and film markets. A passion of hers is supporting Irish film & filmmakers by connecting compatible audiences festivals and organisations.

Declan Mc Steen - Assistant Programmer

A loose canon maverick who utilizes ruthless and unconventional methods to get the job done, in the murky world of arts administration.

Nicola O' Sullivan - Sponsorship/PR

Nicola (MPRII) is an experienced PR and Marketing professional with over 16 years experience. Recently returned to her home county of Kerry, Nicola has a proven track record in creating and implementing successful and bespoke events and campaigns through strategic planning, media relations, creative PR, marketing and social media. Her clients include Brown Thomas, The Press Up Entertainment Group, Little Island Books, Tower Records, and now us!

KIFF Board of Management

Grace O' Donnell - Festival Chair

A former Town Councillor and Mayor of Tralee, Grace always championed the arts in her time on the Council and continues to do so. A proud Kerry girl, she has been active in social issues and politics since her early teens. With a great interest in all things cultural Grace joined the board of KIFF as a director a number of years ago and is Chairperson of the Board for the last 4 years. Although not an expert in film Grace has always been an enthusiastic and dedicated supporter of the Kerry International Film Festival.

Grace now works with 321 Down Syndrome Kerry Charity Shop and also runs her own tourism business Hidden Kerry. Grace has watched the film festival go from strength over the years and looks forward to working with the team at Kerry International Film festival for many more years to come.

Ailbhe Keogan - Screenwriter

Ailbhe’s Run & Jump, was selected as part of the Berlin Talent Campus Script Station and the Sundance Institute’s Lab. Directed by Oscar-nominated Steph Green, it premiered at Tribeca in 2012. Doughnut is due to go into production in 2021, directed by the Emmy award-winning Emer Reynolds, who is a Maureen O Hara award recipient. Sunlight will be shot in April 2021 as part of Screen Ireland’s inaugural POV scheme.

Ailbhe was selected as one of two Irish participants on Guiding Lights 8 and was under the mentorship of Alex Garland.

Ailbhe lives in Castlegregory. She has worked extensively with teenagers from diverse backgrounds, using film as a medium to explore issues in their lives.

Áine Moriarty - CEO IFTA

Áine Moriarty is the founder and Chief Executive of the Irish Film & Television Academy (www.ifta.ie) est. in 2003 which has 1,140 Members of Irish industry professionals and runs an Educational Programme of c. 50 events annually including the John Ford Ireland – Film Symposium. She has Executive Produced 17 x IFTA Awards Ceremonies; is a founding member of the Film Academies Network of Europe; and lectured annually at the Digital MEDIA Business School in Spain for five years.

Áine founded the IFTN Network (www.iftn.ie) in 1995 and previously was manager of Film Ireland Magazine for 3 years. She is a member of the Audiovisual Federation of Ireland: Member of the Film Steering Group Kerry.

Aileen Garvey - Solicitor

Aileen Garvey, our newest board member, is based in Killarney and is a native of Dingle, County Kerry.

Having graduated from the University of Limerick with a degree in Law & European studies, followed by postgraduate studies in Business Administration at Blackhall Place, she pursed a career in Dublin working with Porter Morris solicitors and Matheson solicitors.

Since returning to Kerry, Aileen has been an active supporter and patron of Kerry International Film Festival and the Arts.