Ani Palmer, Rain Spencer and Frances Fisher feature in the list
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGES PROVIDED BY IRIS PRIZE
Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival has announced the six actors shortlisted for Best Performance in a Female Role, revealed exclusively by DIVA.
This year marks the 20th edition of the celebration of LGBTQIA+ cinema, with the festival running between 12–18 October. The shortlisted actors in this category were chosen from the 16 feature films screening at the festival.
The shortlisted actors in the Best Performance in a Female Role, sponsored by DIVA, are:
Alice Marcone
Amanda in I Am Going To Miss You, written and directed by Daniel Ribeiro, Brazil (2026)
Speaking about this nomination, Alice said: “This nomination is one of the proudest and happiest moments of my career. I Am Going to Miss You was the first movie I ever auditioned for and my first opportunity to act in a leading role in a feature film. This opportunity only became possible thanks to an amazing ally director who believed in me and opened that door. Sharing the screen with an all-trans cast of immensely talented actors made this experience even more meaningful. Together, we showed not only the talent of our community but also created a space where I could act feeling present, safe, and proud. As a Latin trans woman of colour, seeing my work recognised by this nomination is a glimpse of hope that I want to believe will help not only me but our community keep dreaming of new and potent stories in a world that keeps threatening our hard-fought rights.”
Ani Palmer
Sid in Big Girls Don’t Cry, directed by Paloma Schneideman, New Zealand (2026)
Speaking about this nomination, Ani said: “I am so incredibly blown away and honoured to be nominated for this award. Thank you so so much to all the amazing people who supported and believed in me, especially my badass director Paloma for trusting me to be her Sid.”
Claudia Pandolfi
Teresa in The Boy With The Pink Pants, directed by Margherita Ferri, Italy (2024)
Frances Fisher
Max in Out Of The Woods, directed by Sal Bardo, USA (2026)
Speaking about this nomination, Frances said: “Thank you so much for recognising my work; as you know it takes collaboration and I acknowledge my fellow cast members, Mimi Kennedy, Bruce Davison, Stefanie Estes, Braxton Molinaro, and Jennifer Aquino, who helped me bring Sal Bardo’s words to life.”
Gabrielle Poulin B
Michelle in Labrador – Autopsy Of Silence directed by Rodrigue Jean, Canada (2026)
Rain Spencer
Freya in Big Girls Don’t Cry, directed by Paloma Schneideman, New Zealand (2026)
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