“Iris is more than just a trophy that gathers dust or a certificate that yellows on the wall. Iris is what filmmakers need”
BY DIVA STAFF. IMAGES IRIS PRIZE.
As well as opening Cardiff’s world-famous LGBTQI film festival for submissions, organisers have announced details of a new three-year sponsorship agreement with the well-known British producer and broadcaster, Film4.
The agreement will see Film4 acquire broadcast and streaming rights to each of the 15 British LGBTQI short films shortlisted for the, now rebranded, Iris Prize Best British Short Supported by Film4 meaning the films will be seen by Film4 fans up and down the county.
“This is a pivotal moment in the development of the Iris Prize,” said Andrew Pierce, Iris Prize chair. “This relationship with Film4 will allow Iris to achieve our main aim which is to increase audiences for LGBT+ stories.
“As the premier film channel in the UK, with a strong track record for supporting diverse British film making, this is the perfect partner for Iris. We are so excited!”
Tim Highsted, a senior editor for Film4, added: “The Iris Prize, with its focus on diversity, inclusion and new voices, and its setting in Cardiff, is a perfect fit for Film4.
“Short form content is a critical proving ground for rising talent, but with new platforms allowing for a wider range of voices to be heard, it’s also increasingly a draw for viewers.”
Submissions are now well and truly open for the 2020 Iris Prize Festival which takes place in Cardiff, Wales, from 6-11 October 2020 and presents three main awards:
🍿 Iris Prize – Cardiff’s International LGBT short film prize
🍿 Iris Prize Best British Short Supported by Film4
🍿 Iris Prize Best Feature Award
“This is always an exciting period for us at Iris HQ as we open submissions and wonder which filmmakers will take home this year’s prize fund of £50,000 to invest in new LGBT+ film talent,” says Berwyn Rowlands, Founder Iris Prize.
“Thanks to the generous support of The Michael Bishop Foundation, the Iris Prize continues to be the largest and only LGBT+ short film prize in the world which allows the winner to make a new film. Thanks also to Pinewood Studios Group we are able to support our British film makers directly with a prize valued at £20,000 for sound post production on their next short film project.”
“And now in 2020, we are also able to help British filmmakers reach a huge audience thanks to our new sponsorship agreement with Film4.”
“Iris is more than just a trophy that gathers dust or a certificate that yellows on the wall. Iris is what filmmakers need – funding, support, guidance and a new audience for their work.”
Eleven short films have been produced to date by the Iris Prize with award winning filmmakers from across the world. Details about submitting films can be found here: irisprize.org/festival/submissions
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