Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) ran its 26th edition from October 16th to 19th across multiple venues in Killarney last week.
Along with the film festival’s programme of Irish and international films, documentaries, shorts, the festival also gave out the Best Music Video award.
Nialler9 curated the shortlist and selected music videos were screened on Saturday October 18th in ANAM Arts & Cultural Centre, Killarney.
Selected Music Videos
- Sprints ‘Descartes’ (Dir. Niamh Bryson)
- For Those I Love ‘Of The Sorrows’ (Dir. Dave Balfe)
- Junior Brother ‘Welcome To My Mountain’ (Dir. Ellius Grace)
- CMAT ‘Euro Country’ (Dir. Eilis Doherty)
- CMAT ‘When A Good Man Cries’ (Dir. Eilis Doherty)
- Morgana ‘I’ll Cry When I’m Dead’ (Dir. Claire O’Reilly)
- Tebi Rex ‘Fin’ (Dir. Aiesha Wong)
- Poser ‘Good Time’ (Dir. Iarla Mckeon)
- Chalk ‘Afraid’ (Dir. Benedict Goddard)
- Poor Creature ‘Adieu Lovely Erin’ (Dir. Ruth Clinton)
- Soda Blonde ‘Words’ (Dir. Adam O’Regan)
- Kean Kavanagh ‘A Cowboy Song’ (Dir. Kojaque and Robert Bass)
- Biird ‘The Rollover’ (Dir. Olivia McLaughlin)
- Myles Manley ‘Di Fontaines’ (Dir. Tim Shearwood)
- KhakiKid, Saint Demarcus ‘Date Nite’ (Dir. Iarla Mckeon)
- ØXN ‘The Trees They Do Grow High’ (Dir. Cathal Eustace)
The new award was judged by director Dawn Shadforth, who has worked with a huge array of artists throughout her career including Kylie Minogue, Oasis, Florence and the Machine, Björk and more.
The KIFF 2025 Awards Ceremony was held at the Great Southern Hotel Killarney, celebrated excellence across multiple categories, with the ‘Best Music Video’ Award ultimately going to For Those I Love ‘Of The Sorrows’ (Dir. Dave Balfe).
Dawn Shadforth
“OF THE SORROWS is a unique piece, unlike any music video I’ve seen before. Part of the art of a music video is coming up with a concept that catches your attention. There’s always the opportunity to redefine the form, and I feel For Those I Love does that. It’s exquisitely executed, not just from a front-of-camera craft perspective, but also in how it engages so precisely with the music emotionally to land the journey. ”
CMAT ‘When A Good Man Cries’ (Dir. Eilis Doherty) also received a special mention on the day.
“CMAT’s WHEN A GOOD MAN CRIES catches a really fantastic performance. It’s a strong, evolved and fresh-feeling example of a classic band music video.”
KIFF 2025 Award Winners:
- Best Music Video:
- Winner: Of the Sorrows – For Those I Love
- Special Mention: When a Good Man Cries – CMAT
Kerry International Film Festival is supported by its principal funders The Arts Council of Ireland, Kerry County Council with headline sponsorship from Kerry Airport. The festival is also supported by RTÉ Supporting the Arts and a wide range of local partners and hospitality sponsors.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
