Frequently
Asked Questions

The May the 4th Sci-Fi Film Festival takes place from May 2-4, 2026 (Friday through Sunday) in Portmagee, County Kerry, on Ireland’s stunning Skellig Coast. The main venues are the Portmagee Domes for Comic-Con activities and the Portmagee Community Centre for film screenings, with our Gala Awards Ceremony held at The Royal Hotel on Valentia Island.

Currently, most festival events are FREE to attend, including film screenings, Comic-Con entry, and many activities. The Gala Awards Ceremony on Saturday evening is a ticketed event with limited seats. We’re introducing a new ticketing structure for 2026 via Eventbrite – check our booking page for the latest pricing and early bird discounts.

While many events are free and open access, we strongly recommend booking in advance for the Gala Awards Ceremony as seats are limited. For the best experience, we also suggest registering for a Festival Pass, which guarantees entry to all events even when venues reach capacity.

The festival is designed for all ages! We have specific family-friendly activities including a LEGO corner, face painting, and colouring stations. Film content varies – most screenings are suitable for general audiences, but some films may have age recommendations. Check individual film listings for guidance.

Portmagee is located on the Skellig Coast in County Kerry:

• From Dublin: Approximately 4.5 hours by car via the M7 and N72
• From Cork: Approximately 2 hours by car via the N22 and N70
• From Cork Airport: 2 hours drive (car rental available at airport)
• From Kerry Airport: 1 hour drive
• By Bus: Bus Éireann services run to Killarney, then local connections to Portmagee

Yes, there is parking available in Portmagee village. The main festival venues are within walking distance of parking areas. During busy periods, additional parking is signposted on the outskirts of the village with a short walk to venues.

All main festival venues are within easy walking distance in Portmagee village (5-10 minutes). The Gala Awards venue at The Royal Hotel, Valentia is accessible by car or local taxi services.

Most international visitors fly into either:

• Dublin Airport – Ireland’s main international hub (4.5 hours to Portmagee)
• Cork Airport – Closer option with good connections (2 hours to Portmagee)
• Kerry Airport – Smallest but nearest (1 hour to Portmagee)

We recommend flying into Cork for the best balance of international connections and proximity to the festival.

From Dublin (4.5 hours): Take the M7 towards Limerick, then the N21 to Castleisland, followed by the N23 to Farranfore. From there, take the N70 through Killorglin and Cahersiveen to reach Portmagee. The route becomes wonderfully scenic once you reach Kerry, with stunning mountain and coastal views.

From Cork (2 hours): Take the N22 through Macroom to Killarney, then follow the N72 to Killorglin. From Killorglin, take the N70 coastal route through Cahersiveen to Portmagee. This Wild Atlantic Way route offers breathtaking scenery – allow extra time for photo stops!

Our Comic-Con runs Saturday and Sunday from 10am-5pm in the Portmagee Domes, featuring:

• Vendor stalls with comics, toys, and collectibles
• Stormtrooper patrols and character meet & greets
• Cosplay competitions and exhibitions
• Virtual reality experiences
• 360° Star Wars video dome experience
• Panel discussions with special guests
• Children’s activities including LEGO corner and face painting

Entry to Comic-Con is FREE!

Absolutely! Cosplay is encouraged throughout the festival. We have designated cosplay events and competitions, but you’re welcome to wear costumes anytime. Please ensure costumes are family-friendly and any prop weapons are clearly fake and safe.

We screen 75+ independent science fiction films including features, shorts, documentaries, and animations. Films can be live action or animation, but must be story-based sci-fi. The programme includes both live screenings at venues in Portmagee and Valentia Island, plus online screenings available throughout the festival weekend. Full programme details are released in April.

Portmagee has several excellent pubs and restaurants within walking distance of festival venues. Food vendors are also present at the Comic-Con. The village offers everything from casual dining to fresh seafood, with options for various dietary requirements.

Yes, we strive to make the festival accessible to all. The Portmagee Community Centre and Domes have wheelchair access and accessible facilities. If you have specific accessibility needs, please contact us at MayThe4thSciFiFilmFestival@gmail.com so we can assist with your visit.

Film submissions are handled through FilmFreeway. Visit our FilmFreeway page to see categories, deadlines, and submission guidelines. We accept features, shorts (under 35 minutes), documentaries, and animations in the science fiction genre. All films must:

• Be story-based sci-fi (live action or animation)
• Include English subtitles if in a foreign language
• Be less than 3 years old
• Meet minimum production standards (720p HD or higher)
• Include a promotional poster/still with submission

Visit FilmFreeway

Early Bird Deadline: December 31
Regular Deadline: February 15
Late Deadline: March 15
Notification of acceptance: Early April

Yes! We have 15 award categories recognizing excellence in various aspects of filmmaking. Winners are announced at our Gala Awards Ceremony on Saturday evening at The Royal Hotel, Valentia. Categories include:

• Best Film, Director, Actor, Actress
• Best Screenplay, Cinematographer, Editor, Score
• Best Visual Effects, Production Design, Costume Design, Make Up
• Best Documentary, Best Online Film, Best Independent Feature
• Special Audience Award

Award trophies are unique sculpted pieces created by renowned bronze artist David O’Brien.

Filmmakers with accepted films receive complimentary festival passes and are invited to participate in networking events, Q&A sessions, and industry panels.