Kerry International Film Festival have announced that actor Jessie Buckley is the recipient of this year’s Maureen O’ Hara award. The Killarney native will be accepting the accolade in October 2020, in celebration of her exceptional work in both film and the arts. Her most recent film, I'm Thinking of Ending Things, has been receiving rave reviews across the board.

The much-coveted award is offered exclusively to women who have excelled in film and KIFF are privileged to be presenting the award to Jessie Buckley on what would have been Maureen O’Hara’s centenary year.

"It means so much, when your own people and own country get behind you like this and say you’re doing alright kid,’ said Buckley upon receiving the award.

The festival will announce their 2020 program in the coming weeks. The program will present a diverse selection of films and documentaries for all ages and genres and will also include a promising new selection of Kerry Short films, not to be missed.

In these uncertain times, KIFF is grateful to be able to present a festival that challenges them to incorporate a digital element into their festival and they are immensely grateful to their key funding partners and supporters, including The Arts Council, Kerry County Council, Irish Film & Television Awards, KETB, Creative Ireland Kerry and to all local sponsors, supporters and businesses. KIFF would love for local businesses to come on board in support of this home-grown dynamic and expanding festival and they will be showcasing festival partnership opportunities locally in the lead in to the event.

Watch the trailer for I'm Thinking of Ending Things below.