Submissions open for the 2021 Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival
This year's fest will include the introduction of two new awards!
Words: Jamie Tabberer; pictures: provided (depicting nine filmmakers from nine countries, of 35 overall, who took part in Iris 2020).
The Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival is open for submissions for its 2021 prize, it has been announced.
Organisers of the Cardiff-based festival are looking to emphasise “the importance of diversity” in its 15th year, while adding new awards – community and education – to the festival line up.
The prize grants the winner £30,000 to make a new short film and the chance to reach a UK wide audience through sponsorship with Film4 on All 4.
Details about submitting films can be found here.
“We’ve seen a steady increase in the number of trans stories included in the festival programme”
Berwyn Rowlands, Festival Director told Attitude: “I think it’s very important to confirm that the Iris Prize will go ahead again in 2021. Many film festivals took a year off last year, but Iris, with the support of our sponsors went online and we managed to reach a much bigger audience than we would have with an in-person event. As the UK starts what looks like a long lockdown, confirming that one filmmaker will take the £30,000 main prize later this year is a positive message for LGBT+ film makers.
“I’m delighted that Attitude will once again be sponsoring the “Best Performance in a Male Role” in our feature film awards. The relationship with Attitude is important as it help Iris reach new audiences for LGBT+ film.”
Andrew Pierce, Festival Chair commented: “Diversity has been at the heart of Iris from the beginning. Thanks primarily to the relationships we have with 30 partner festivals located in 20 countries we have always enjoyed seeing diversity represented on our screens. Diversity across the board is taking a little longer. However, I’ve been encouraged by the improved gender balance and over the past three years we have seen women directors taking the main prize.
“We have also seen a steady increase in the number of trans stories included in the festival programme. I’m hoping in 2021 and from this point in time we will also see an increase in films made by trans filmmakers.”
The festival’s nine awards:
• Iris Prize – the largest LGBT+ short film prize in the world supported by The Michael Bishop Foundation
• Iris Prize Best British Short Supported by Film4
• Iris Prize Best Feature sponsored by Bad Wolf
• Best Performance in a Female Role sponsored by DIVA Magazine
• Best Performance in a Male Role sponsored by Attitude Magazine
• Youth Jury Award sponsored by TBC
• Community Award – £250 to enable the winning community group to make more films
• Education Award – £250 to enable the winning education/youth group to make more films
• Micro Short Award – £100 to enable the filmmaker to make more films
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