It’s still the most valuable LGBT short film festival prize in the worls and now the Iris Prize Festival has sent out a call for submissions for its 2016 edition. The main prize, for Best Short Film, is worth £30,000, while Best British Short has raised its value from £14,000 to £20,000, thanks to the support of Pinewood Studios Group.
“We are delighted that Pinewood Studios has generously increased their support of the Iris Prize Best British Short. Together with the continued funding from The Michael Bishop Foundation, Gorilla Post and Martin Briggs we now have a total prize fund of £55,000. This significant fund, at a time of continued austerity, allows Iris to continue supporting new LGBT film making,” said Festival Chair Andrew Pierce.
The organisers also confirmed that the family of partner festivals, who each nominate one short film to compete for the Iris Prize, will be increased by five in 2016. LGBT film festivals who would like to be considered should contact festival organisers as soon as possible.
“Thanks to the generous support of The Michael Bishop Foundation, the Iris Prize continues to be the only LGBT short film prize in the world which allows the winner to make a new film. Iris is more than just a trophy that gathers dust or a certificate that yellows on the wall. Iris is what film makers need – funding, support and guidance,” said Festival Director Berwyn Rowlands.
“Seven short films have been produced to date by the Iris Prize with award winning filmmakers from across the world. Followers directed by Tim Marshall, the 6th short film produced by the Iris Prize, was selected from 8,200 entries to premier at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. The film has now played in over 50 festivals worldwide over the past 12 months.”
“I’m very proud of our track record in supporting new talent, having worked with film makers from all over the world and look forward to working with Arkasha Stevenson from the US who will be responsible for the 8th short film,” he added.
The Iris Prize Festival takes place from 12th-16th October 2016 in Cardiff. Details about submitting films can be found here: http://www.irisprize.org/the-prize-2016/submissions/
Leave a Reply (if comment does not appear immediately, it may have been held for moderation)