Iris Prize

Calling all Sapphic Cinematographers!  Fancy yourself as the next Ang Lee?  This is your opportunity to shine!  For not only has the world's largest prize for a gay and lesbian short film just been announced, but it's all happening on our home territory (honestly!).  So, get your cameras out and let your talent show through!

What's it all about?  Well, plans have just been announced to stage the Iris Prize - the world's largest prize for a gay and lesbian short film. Working with film festivals across the globe including Los Angeles, Sydney, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto and Miami the Iris Prize aims to promote and support gay and lesbian filmmakers around the world. The inaugural prize will be presented in Cardiff (honestly!  Cardiff in Wales (UK)), in October 2007 with the winner receiving a prize valued at £25,000 to make their next short film in the UK.

Why Cardiff?  Did you know that Cardiff has the largest number of cinema screens per head of population in the UK? We didn't know that either!  But with that knowledge it all makes perfect sense. Submissions for the international prize will open in January 2007 and will be judged by a prestigious panel of industry figures. A shortlist of 30 films will be selected to screen as part of a three day event held in Cardiff from October 4th - 6th 2007, with the prize awarded on the closing night. IRIS has received strong support from the post production sector in the UK, led by Barcud Derwen who will supply filming equipment and editing facilities for use by the winner.

"The UK is recognised as the film makers preferred destination and Barcud Derwen with our UK wide network of companies is pleased to be part of this rich tradition. By supporting the next wave of talent through IRIS I am confident that even more filmmakers will choose to make their films here in the UK," said Bryn Roberts, Managing Director, Barcud Derwen.

Which, of course can only be a good thing for our community as a whole.  The Iris Prize is being backed by a host of professional film bodies including the UK Film Council and many LGBT film festivals have already announced their support.  "We wanted to recognise the global support that exists for the gay community by working with the leading L&G film festivals. However we felt that through IRIS we could add another dimension by offering a film maker the chance to make a new film. It's very difficult to find the funding to make a film let alone a gay film, so once a year IRIS will support the very best," said Berwyn Rowlands, founder of the Iris Prize. 

This is definitely one to watch. You can find out more information about the Iris Prize by clicking here including information on how to enter.