Kinsale Shark Awards
| Kinsale Shark Awards | |
|---|---|
| Description | International advertising and creative awards |
| Location | Kinsale, County Cork |
| Country | Ireland |
| Presented by | The Shark Awards |
| First award | 1962 |
| Website | www |
The Kinsale Shark Awards, commonly referred to as the Kinsale Sharks or The Shark Awards, is an international advertising and creative festival founded in 1962 and traditionally held in Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland.[1][2] The festival recognizes work in advertising, design, digital media, short film and music video.[3][4] Events associated with the awards are held in Kinsale as well as in Brighton, London and Dublin.[3]
The festival was established in 1962 in Kinsale as a competition focused on television, radio and cinema commercials, and is Ireland's longest running Advertising Awards festival.[5][6] The festival was originally called "The International Festival of Ireland", but was rebranded in 1998 as the "Sharks" because of Kinsale's shark fishing tradition.[7]
By the mid-2010s the festival was numbered in the mid-50s.[8] The festival continued during the 2010s[9] and was held in Kinsale in 2016, 2017,[10] 2018, 2019[11] and 2020[12] with adjustments in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8][13][14]
The competition's jury is drawn from creative directors, directors, designers, producers and other practitioners in advertising, design and production.[14][5] Judges view shortlisted work in Kinsale and vote using an electronic scoring system, with final decisions reviewed using a scoreboard interface.[2] The advertising, digital and social categories are judged in Kinsale over several days each September.[1][15]
As of 2025, the festival runs four main events across the year: Advertising (September, in Kinsale), Design (November), Short Films (February) and Music Video (May).[5] In addition to these, the organization runs a "Young Shark" or "Best New Talent" competition aimed at emerging creatives, including a script competition.[15][16]
Notable festival award nominees and winners include Jeshi, Bloom Twins, Billie Marten and others.[14][17]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Award Organization Profile – Kinsale Shark Awards". AdForum. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ a b "Shark Awards Case Study". Thoughtbubble. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ a b "The Shark Awards – International Creative Festival". The Shark Awards. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ "Kinsale Shark Awards 2024 – Overview". Adspur. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ a b c "The 63rd Shark Advertising Awards is open for entries". Irish Film and Television Network. 19 August 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ Best, Kianna (10 June 2025). "Creativity shines bright at 2025 Kinsale Shark Awards". The Location Guide. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
- ^ Cullen, Michael. "Shark awards to attract advertising industry's big fish, despite move to Ennis". The Irish Times. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ^ a b "Kinsale Annual Festivals and Events". Kinsale Chamber of Tourism & Business. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ "2014 Kinsale Shark Awards". Kinsale Chamber of Tourism & Business. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ Cullen, Michael (20 July 2017). "AdLib: Can't beat feeling for agency success". Irish Independent. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ^ "Ogilvy Sydney copywriter Lewis Aramayo named as winner of Kinsale Young Shark competition". Campaign Brief. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ^ "2020 Kinsale Shark Awards". Kinsale Chamber of Tourism & Business. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ Maitre, James (11 December 2020). "Shark Awards Short Film // An Interview with Peter Brady // Directors Notes". Directors Notes. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ^ a b c "Kinsale Shark Awards winners announced". Televisual. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ a b "FAQ". The Shark Awards. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ "Events". The Shark Awards. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ "Kinsale Shark Awards Shortlist". 42 Branded. 2 March 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2025.