Iris Prize unveils LGBTQ Film Festival’s Opening Night films

The Iris Prize LGBTQ Festival has announced the films that will premiere on the festival’s opening night.

Returning for the first time in person since 2019 the festival will see six short films made in Wales launch the festival which runs from 11-16 October. 

Angharad Mair from S4C’s primetime magazine programme Heno will return as the host along with special guests and filmmakers from around the world.

Four of the films set to debut on opening night have been created by women. 

Cardiff
Director: Sarah Smith
Writer: Phillip Guttmann
Cast: Richard Elis, Ruth Madoc and Stifyn Parri
Perpetually single, Frederick envies his fabulous gay friend Joe, who seems to have a never-ending supply of paramours despite being happily married himself. But when Frederick’s meddling mother arrives for a visit, she thrusts him into a forbidden romance, and a series of unforeseen betrayals hilariously expose some carefully held secrets.

Blooming
Dir: Efa Blosse Mason and Sophie Marsh
Blooming is a playful short animation which celebrates desire and pleasure using sticky, fleshy plasticine. It invites the audience to take a look from a plant’s eye view and explore the wonderful queerness within nature.

I Shall be Whiter than Snow 
Director: Frederick Stacey 
Writer: Jonathan North    
This short film is based on the true story of a lesbian couple, Kim and Roseann, who were married at Velindre Hospital, Cardiff in 2018 whilst Kim was receiving treatment for cancer. This emotional film is a touching love story between two women and is also a celebration of the amazing staff who work for our NHS and the importance of compassionate care.  The film stars Rebecca Harries and Lynn Hunter, supported by a cast of NHS professionals.

Queens Cwm Rag
Director / Camera / Editor: Lindsay Walker

A team of drag queens marched to the peak of Snowdon to raise money for Trans Aid Cymru, an organisation dedicated to supporting the trans and non-binary communities in Wales. Award winning filmmaker Lindsay Walker had a camera!

Sally Leapt Out Of A Window Last Night
Director: Tracy Spottiswoode
Ireland 1778. Sally and Eleanor flout convention and scandalise society to escape the fate their families have planned for them. They elope. Inspired by the true story of the legendary ‘Ladies of Llangollen.’

G♭
Writer/Director: Peter Darney 
Cast: Richard Wilson and Aled ap Steffan
84-year-old cellist Ceri has lost his husband to cancer and his ability to play to a debilitating stroke. His dull life is spent in solitude, save for the interruptions of agency carers and the solace of his iPad. Seizing the opportunity that a night-time staff shortage brings; he uses Grindr to invite 20-year-old rent-boy Iestyn to visit.  

Berwyn Rowlands, the Iris Prize LGBTQ Festival Director, says: “We are thrilled to be back in person this year, welcoming filmmakers from all over the world to Cardiff.

“This year, Opening Night features six short films made in Wales. One of our youngest directors – Efa Blosse Mason (Blooming) – has been with the festival for many years since she began her journey as filmmaker at Ysgol Plasmawr in Cardiff.”

Berwyn adds, “We believe that we have created something very special in Wales for national and international audiences. Each short film has been made with the support of all the major broadcasters and media organisations in Wales, proving that Welsh talent is given the opportunity to grow and develop to a world class standard.

“Opening night is now unbelievably popular and feels like the Oscar ceremony for short films, even before the competition begins, and there will be a second opportunity to watch the programme of films on Sunday 16 October, at Chapter Arts Centre.”

Full details about Iris Prize LGBTQ Festival can be found here.