The LGBTQI film festival is set to return in October with £30,000 up for grabs for a budding filmmaker
BY SOPHIE GRIFFITHS
Submissions are now open for the 2021 Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival. Celebrating its 15th edition, the Cardiff based festival, is set to go ahead in October 2021. The organisers are determined to continue sharing LGBTQI stories from all over the world and closer to home, with the introduction of community and education awards at main festival.
The various categories at this year’s Iris Prize will span from their iconic Iris Prize, where the winner is awarded £30,000 allowing them to make their next film, Best British, Best Feature and Best Performance In A Female Role which is sponsored by us here at DIVA Magazine.
Last year’s main Iris Prize was awarded to Victoria Warmerdam from the Netherlands for her film Short Calf Muscle and you can check out the heartwarming moment where she found out she was the winner below.
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.”
To be in with the chance of winning the 2021 Iris Prize, you can submit your LGBTQI short films here. Iris Prize LGBT+ Festival 2021 will take place 5 – 10 October both online and in person.
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