The 20th edition of this prestigious fest boasts Welsh talent and LGBTQIA+ filmmaking
BY DIVA STAFF, IMAGE IS A STILL FROM TRY
The highly anticipated 20th edition of Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival is just one week away (12 October). If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, trust us, you don’t want to miss out. The fest spotlights global queer storytelling and is an unmissable event for lovers of LGBTQIA+ cinema.
This year’s fest boasts an abundance of Welsh talent. The week-long festival is opening in two Cardiff venues, St David’s Dewi Sant and Vineworld Cardiff. As always, opening night is the showcase for new Welsh filmmaking. Love Is Not An Emotion, Cranogwen a Fi and Wear I Am.
The opening night line-up kicks off with the unveiling of the Pink Portraits 2026. This is a celebration of LGBTQIA+ colleagues whose experiences and individuality help shape the BBC in Wales. The project is produced by BBC Cymru Wales in partnership with Iris Prize and Ffotogallery. This year’s photographs were created by Harrison Williams, a Cardiff-born creative.
The Welsh connections in this year’s instalment are strong. You won’t want to miss the Welsh premiere of Black Church Bay by Welsh-Irish director Rhys Marc Jones. There’s lots of Welsh rep throughout this year’s juries and talks. S4C’s Sara Peacock chairs the Iris Prize jury, along with jury member Rebecca Hardy, director of BAFTA Cymru and Guto Rhun, who sits on the Best British jury.
Another film DIVAs will love, which is screening at this year’s opening night, is Lewis Bayley’s short TRY. The film stars our latest cover star T’Nia Miller. This short marks Lewis’ directorial debut, and it is guaranteed to stay in your heart long after watching.
Heledd Fychan MS, cabinet secretary for culture and sport, said: “The Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival is a powerful celebration of storytelling, representation and creativity. This year’s programme highlights the strength of Welsh talent alongside diverse voices from around the world, demonstrating how a festival rooted in Wales can make a truly international impact. Creative Wales is proud to support Iris Prize in creating opportunities for LGBTQ+ storytellers, championing Welsh talent and helping our screen and creative industries flourish globally.”
Iris Prize festival director Berwyn Rowlands said: “Opening night is always an opportunity for the festival to highlight Welsh Talent. This year is another example of amazing films featuring LGBTQ+ stories from people starting their working life in film to those who are at the top of their game. The opening is also a chance to party, although it is technically still a school night!”
Iris Prize returns for the 20th edition on Monday 12 October until Sunday 18 October
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