Shortlist for Iris LGBT+ Film Festival 2019 revealed

Organisers announce the 14 feature films and 17 programmes of short films that will compete for the 2019 Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival in Cardiff in October.

THE six-day Cardiff extravaganza includes Sequin In a Blue Room, which has just had its international premiere at Outfest LA in Los Angeles. The festival will also include industry events sponsored by the University of South Wales. Sessions include those on acting, producing and how to get your work into film festivals, with industry reps from Los Angeles, Toronto and Dublin.

The first student showcase of new LGBT+ short films from 6 UK film schools will also feature.

British entries include Dubs by Anthony Greyley and Equal from Northern Ireland by Gillian Callan. Other countries featured include the USA, India, Norway, Hong Kong, Portugal, Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Israel.

Each film will be followed by an open question and answer session.

36 Short Films from 19 countries will compete for the £30,000 Iris Film prize

Andrew Pierce, Iris Prize Chair, said: “This impressive shortlist represents the very best in LGBT+ storytelling, offering a window into queer lives of the past, present and future. From love stories to tales of persecution, moving documentaries to joyous celebrations of freedom and pride.

“I’m also delighted to include our first films from Peru, Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia. This further confirms our role in sharing stories from across the world.

“I can’t wait to see them on a big screen and enjoy the conversations that flow after each screening. The introduction last year of the themed discussions after every screening was popular with our audience – a safe space for all of us to talk and just as important to listen”

AND at its finale, the festival will host an event at the Tramshed where TV writer and producer Russell T Davies will present the £30,000 Iris Prize to the winning film.

For a full list of shortlisted films, click here: