Since 1910, national and international film, television and music video production, print media and advertising companies have been attracted to Kerry with its magnificent land and seascapes and historic buildings.

The Arts Office and Screen Kerry (Kerry’s Film Development Officer) actively promote this diverse and dramatic scenery and encourage and assist local and incoming production crews with shoots in the county. Notable productions include Ryan’s Daughter (1969) which was shot on the Dingle peninsula, Vogue USA’s Wild Irish Rose fashion shoot (2013) in Killarney National Park, Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) on Skellig Michael, The Bachelorette (2018) television series which shot an episode at Muckross House & Gardens and Joyride (2021) which starred Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman and featured various North Kerry locations.

Since 2018, the Arts Office supported by Screen Kerry has awarded the Kerry Short Film Bursary, which aims to foster local talent, encourage filmmaking in the county and support professional artists to live and work in Kerry. The bursary is co-funded by Kerry County Council and The Arts Council and supports the production of a 10-12 minute drama/documentary film in Kerry. The Bursary is for €10,000 and since 2021, the film’s writer/director/producer has had to be from or living in Kerry. The 2020 recipient of the award Ship of Souls was considered for the Best Short Film category at the 2022 BAFTAs and Academy Awards which further promotes Kerry internationally as a film location.

Kerry Short Film Bursary Winners:

  2018

2019

2020

2021