8 pictures from the Iris Prize 2021 – from M People’s Heather Small to Firebird’s Tom Prior

Words: Jamie Tabberer; pictures: By Holly Russell-Allison and Harrison Williams

The Iris Prize 2021 crowned its winning film last weekend, with Baba, directed by Sam Arbor and Adam Ali, taking home the £30,000 prize.

The short also scooped the Best British Award, supported by Film4 and Pinewood Studios, at an awards ceremony on Saturday (9 October 2021) in the Welsh capital, Cardiff.

Another big winner was Udo Kier, who won the Attitude-sponsored Iris Prize Best Performance in a Male Role in a Feature Film Award for Swan Song.

Senan Kara, star of Not Knowing, won Iris Prize Best Performance in a Female Role in a Feature Film Award sponsored by DIVA Magazine. Rebel Dykes, directed by Harri Shanahan and Siân A. Williams won the Iris Prize Best Feature Award sponsored by Bad Wolf.

Here are eight behind-the-scenes pictures of culture vultures from throughout the week; the programme is still available to view online in the United Kingdom until 31 October 2021.

For more info, visit IrisPrize.org.

 

Kris Francis, Technical and Events Support, and Tom Selway, who presented last Saturday night’s award ceremony

Actor Tom Prior at a screening of his hit film from earlier this year, Firebird

Festival Director Berwyn Rowlands addresses the audience at a screening

Festival patron Heather Small – known for fronting The M People and the solo hit ‘Proud’ – at Premiere Cinema Cardiff

Carla Fraser director of one of last year’s big winners Wings, attends the Iris Academy Talk

Jury chair Rasheed Bailey enjoys a drink between films 

Alt-pop duo HYYTS support the festival by performing a special gig at the Iris Club in Queen’s Arcade

Director Sam Arbor winning the top prize for Baba