“Sharing LGBTQ+ stories, often ignored by the mainstream, is an important part of what Iris is all about”
BY CALYPSO LLOYD-DAVIES, IMAGE PROVIDED (WITH LOVE, LOTTIE)
Iris Prize, the world’s biggest LGBTQIA+ short film prize, has revealed the films competing in this year’s festival for the grand prize of £40,000. The Iris Prize aims to celebrate LGBTQIA+ stories from around the world, which are often overlooked in mainstream media, by providing budding filmmakers with a platform and support.
A total of 35 films were shortlisted for the 2025 festival, with diverse queer stories spanning topics from disability to race to witches.
Director of the festival, Berwyn Rowlands, spoke about this year’s selection: “Sharing LGBTQ+ stories, often ignored by the mainstream, is an important part of what Iris is all about. When we receive a film from a country for the first time, we get very excited. This year’s shortlist includes work from Pakistan and Turkey, and although we’ve been active for 19 years, this is the first nomination for both countries.”
We’ve compiled a list of the ones we’re most excited for…
Dandelion. Dir: Fiona Obertinca. USA, 2025. 20 mins.
In 1970s Los Angeles, rebellious queer teen Margaret gets thrown out of yet another foster placement and finds herself in the company of a mysterious social worker who’s tasked with finding her a new home before the break of dawn. At odds and forced to travel the city together, Margaret realises that running may not be her only option.
I’m The Most Racist Person I Know. Dir: Leela Varghese. Australia, 2025. 13 mins.
When Lali unexpectedly ends up on a date with another woman of colour for the first time, it unravels prejudices she has long ignored.
Jasmine That Blooms in Autumn. Dir: Chandradeep Das. India, 2025. 15 mins.
Love blossoms secretly between two old women at an elderly care home while the spectre of patriarchy looms large overhead.
Marleen. Dir: Jop Leuven. Netherlands, 2024. 7 mins.
In group therapy, Lena talks about three incidents with others that have defined her self-image: with her father, her first boyfriend, and the unexpected date with her colleague Marleen. It’s the way Marleen looks at Lena that changes Lena’s perception of herself.
Rainbow Girls. Dir: Nana Duffuor. USA, 2025. 16 mins.
Three young Black trans women pushed to the margins of their community decide to push back by staging a robbery targeting San Francisco’s most exclusive luxury brands.
Souvenir. Dir: Renée Marie Petropoulos. Australia, 2025. 15 mins.
While stuck on a family vacation, a young, closeted teen, Keira, must confront the unnerving hold her girlfriend has over her after she takes unwarranted photos of her during sex.
The Hammer of Witches. Dir: Marin Håskjold. Norway, 2025. 15 mins.
A group of women are facing charges of witchery, and if sentenced, face execution. In their hunt for scapegoats, the prosecuting authorities go beyond questioning – applying tests and torture methods to get the confessions needed to progress to trials. The accused know they won’t escape this alive, but can they somehow preserve their reputation?
With Love, Lottie. Dir: Lily Drummond. Australia, 2024. 14 mins.
When a disabled teenager fears she will never find love, she enlists her friends to become her mentors in the unpredictable world of dating and discovers that love can come in unexpected ways and different forms.
Zari. Dir. Shruti Parekh. USA/India, 2024. 19 mins.
Amidst preparations for her sister’s wedding in India, young American Neelu forges an unexpected connection with Zeyb, a quiet sari store clerk with a secret.
If you want to see the screening of this brilliant selection, and more, head down to Cardiff for the 19th edition of the festival, running from 13-19 October 2025.
More information about Iris Prize can be found here: irisprize.org
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