Iris Loves - Short Films

Established in 2006, the Iris Prize is a film and media organisation committed to increasing audiences for LGBTQ+ stories. Hosting an annual festival in October in Cardiff, it boasts the largest short film prize in the world, a coveted £30,000 award. The following programme includes some of the best films that were honoured and celebrated at the 2023 Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival. 

For more details visit irisprize.org 

Scaring Women at Night 

A Black transgender man, walking alone in the dark, becomes anxious about being perceived as a threat by Ella, a woman also walking alone nearby. As these two strangers, both scared on their late-night walks home, attempt to avoid each other, their worlds unexpectedly collide at an intersection, forcing them to question who they fear and why. 

Karimah Zakia Issa/ Canada/ 2022/ 11m 

Writers: Ace Clamber, Karimah Zakia Issa 

Producers: Lindsay Blair Goeldner, Rosalind Goodwin 

Bubbling 

Guang has difficulty focusing during school choir. He’s distracted by something more enticing than singing. When a charismatic new student arrives, Guang’s curiosity and sexual desire is taken to a new level. 

Che-ming Chang/ Taiwan/ 2023/ 23m 

Writer: Che-ming Chang 

Producer: Hsin-wu Lin 

Fruits of the Spirit 

In the international premiere of this community film, Maddy and Carys are in the worship band of their evangelical church. They’re also in a relationship with each other. What could possibly go wrong? 

Georgia Day/ Wales, UK/ 2024 

Writers: Georgia Day 

Producers: Holly Russell-Allison, Helen Capelin, Georgia Day, Berwyn Rowlands 

Ted & Noel 

Winner of the Iris Prize Co-op Audience award 2023, Ted and Noel follows a grieving LGBTQ+ activist trying to find the strength for one last campaign. 

Julia Alcamo/ UK/ 2023/ 25m 

Producers: Dan Hodgson, Mary Pattison 

Realness with a Twist 

Winner of the Iris Prize Youth Jury Award 2023, this dramatic short sees a talented footballer forced to battle between his secret passion for voguing and the fear of his team-mate’s disapproval. 

Cass Virdee/ UK/ 2023/ 12m 

Writers: David J. Giles, Cass Virdee 

Producers: David J. Giles, Maria Salcher