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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Kate Haley, with her KIFF award, alongside Oisin Haley and Heather O'Reilly Duff
Donegal filmmaker Kate Haley’s short film A Fairytale Romance has won Best Student Short Film at the prestigious Kerry International Film Festival.
This accolade follows a successful weekend where Haley’s previous short film, Splash!, earned her the Northern Exposure Bursary, awarded by the Disappear Here Film Festival and the Donegal Film Office.
Kate is from Portlean, between Milford and Kilamacrenan, and went to school in Portlean NS and then Loreto Community School Milford. She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to do a MFA in Film and TV at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia, and has recently returned home. Her films often blend fantasy, memory, and reality, while examining issues such as gender and power.
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A Fairytale Romance reimagines the classic mermaid tale, blending fantasy with dark realism to critique traditional romance. The film tells the story of a mermaid whose dream of a fairytale ending takes a tragic turn. With stunning visuals and a provocative narrative, Haley offers a fresh, feminist interpretation of folklore, exploring the darker side of romance and human nature.
Speaking about the award, Haley said: “I’m deeply honoured to have A Fairytale Romance recognised at the Kerry International Film Festival. This film is incredibly personal to me, as it critiques the romantic ideals many women are taught to embrace from a young age. I wanted to challenge the traditional fairytale narrative and subvert it in a way that speaks to the complexities of womanhood and the exploitation of female bodies.”
The short film is currently on its international festival run, with continued success anticipated. For more information about A Fairytale Romance and Kate Haley, visit her website or follow her on social media.
The Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) is one of Ireland’s leading film festivals, celebrating excellence in filmmaking. It showcases a wide range of Irish and international films, providing a platform for both emerging and established talent.
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