Iris Prize
Encyclopedia
Established in 2007 by The Festivals Company, The Iris Prize'' is an international gay and lesbian
short film prize which is open to any short film which is by, for, about or of interest to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex audiences and which must have been completed within 2 years prior to the prize deadline.
The Prize is open to film makers from around the world and judged by a panel of international filmmakers and artists. The winner will receive the largest prize for a gay and lesbian short film in the world - a package valued at £25,000 - allowing the winner to make their next short film.
The Prize is awarded during a four-day festival held in Cardiff
that presents a programme of screenings including the 30 competing short films, several feature films, panel sessions with visiting film makers and culminates in a closing night award ceremony.
The Iris Prize has secured the support of lesbian and gay film festivals from around the world, creating a single international platform with the intention of raising the profile of lesbian and gay cinema and helping a new generation of filmmakers achieve success on the international stage. Each of the partner festivals selects one film annually to participate in the Iris Prize. The partner festivals include Toronto
, Los Angeles
, New York
, Sydney, Dublin, London
, San Francisco, Philadelphia
, Miami, Montreal and Hong Kong.
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
short film prize which is open to any short film which is by, for, about or of interest to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex audiences and which must have been completed within 2 years prior to the prize deadline.
The Prize is open to film makers from around the world and judged by a panel of international filmmakers and artists. The winner will receive the largest prize for a gay and lesbian short film in the world - a package valued at £25,000 - allowing the winner to make their next short film.
The Prize is awarded during a four-day festival held in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
that presents a programme of screenings including the 30 competing short films, several feature films, panel sessions with visiting film makers and culminates in a closing night award ceremony.
The Iris Prize has secured the support of lesbian and gay film festivals from around the world, creating a single international platform with the intention of raising the profile of lesbian and gay cinema and helping a new generation of filmmakers achieve success on the international stage. Each of the partner festivals selects one film annually to participate in the Iris Prize. The partner festivals include Toronto
Inside Out Film and Video Festival
The Inside Out Toronto Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival is an annual film festival in Toronto, Ontario, devoted to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film and video works...
, Los Angeles
Outfest
Outfest is an LGBT-oriented film showcase and festival in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1982 as the "Gay and Lesbian Media Festival and Conference", the name was changed to Outfest in 1994.-Programs:...
, New York
New York Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Film Festival
NewFest: The New York Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Film Festival put on by The New Festival, Inc., is one of the most comprehensive forums of international LGBT film/video in the world....
, Sydney, Dublin, London
London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
The London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival takes place every spring in London, England. It began as a season of gay and lesbian films at the National Film Theatre in 1986 and 1987 under the title "Gay's Own Pictures", curated by Peter Packer of the Tyneside Cinema, and was renamed the London...
, San Francisco, Philadelphia
Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
The Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by TLA Entertainment Group in 1995. The event is the third largest of its kind in the US, and the largest on the East Coast....
, Miami, Montreal and Hong Kong.
Winning Films
- 2011 - I Don't Want To Go Back Alone, Daniel RibeiroDaniel RibeiroDaniel Ribeiro is a Brazilian film director. He won an award in 2007 for his short film You, Me and Him .-Filmography:* 2007 - You, Me and Him...
, (Brazil) - 2010 - The Samaritan, Magnus Mork, (Norway)
- 2009 - Steam, Eldar Rapaport, (USA)
- 2008 - Cowboy, Till Kleinert, (Germany)
- 2007 - Pariah, Dee Rees (USA)
List of Partner Festivals
Each of the partner festivals listed below will select one film that will be automatically be shortlisted for the Iris Prize.- Inside Out Film and Video FestivalInside Out Film and Video FestivalThe Inside Out Toronto Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival is an annual film festival in Toronto, Ontario, devoted to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film and video works...
- London Lesbian and Gay Film FestivalLondon Lesbian and Gay Film FestivalThe London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival takes place every spring in London, England. It began as a season of gay and lesbian films at the National Film Theatre in 1986 and 1987 under the title "Gay's Own Pictures", curated by Peter Packer of the Tyneside Cinema, and was renamed the London...
- OutfestOutfestOutfest is an LGBT-oriented film showcase and festival in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1982 as the "Gay and Lesbian Media Festival and Conference", the name was changed to Outfest in 1994.-Programs:...
– Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival - Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
- Frameline - San Francisco International LGBT Film Festival
- Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
- Queer Screen Vision – Sydney’s Mardi Gras Film Festival
- NewFest - New York Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Film Festival
- Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film FestivalPhiladelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film FestivalThe Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by TLA Entertainment Group in 1995. The event is the third largest of its kind in the US, and the largest on the East Coast....