It seems to come around faster every year, but now Iris Prize has announced its 2015 line-up, with films from 18 countries competing for £30,000 main prize (it’s still the world’s largest LGBT short film prize, as supported by the Michael Bishop Foundation).

17 year-old Lucas Helth Postma from Denmark becomes the youngest Iris Prize finalist. Boy, his accomplished short film is one of three from Denmark competing for the 2015 Iris Prize. The film tells the story of 16-year-old Emilie who has always been a boy inside although his mother cannot accept the way he feels. During an Easter lunch he decides to do something drastic, which has its consequences.

The films will screen during this year’s Iris Prize Festival which takes place from October 7th – 11th in Cardiff, Wales, (UK). The winner of the Iris Prize will be announced on Sunday 11th October 2015 during the Iris Awards hosted by Amy Lamé.

“Once again the shortlist for the Iris Prize represents the best of the best. 20 of the short-listed films have been nominated by our partner festivals, including for the first time ShanghaiPRIDE in China. These film festivals from around the world have their fingers on the pulse of upcoming LGBT filmmaking talent. I’m confident that amongst this year’s shortlist of live action, documentaries and animated films we have yet another winner deserving of the Iris Prize,” said Andrew Pierce, Festival Chair.

“Iris is recognised for supporting talented film makers from all over the world. Seven shorts, made with the prize, have been produced since we launched in 2006. 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,” added Andrew.

“It’s great to see films from all over the world represented in the shortlist with an entry for the first time from the Czech Republic joining work from Canada, Germany, Brazil, Israel, Norway, The Netherlands, Ireland, India, Australia, US, Portugal, New Zealand, Mexico, Chile, Denmark, and the UK all making it through to the final. The US once again secures the largest number of films in competition with an impressive 8 out of the final 30 with Denmark in second place with three films,” said Andrew.

Alongside the main prize, the shortlist for Best British Short at Iris has been revealed, which includes a time travelling 16 year-old boy who leaves 1986 behind him and meets up with a teenager in 2015; the final week in work for a retiring University Professor; and a short film about two straight men connecting in a gay club are just some of the stories tackled by the finalists for the Pinewood Studios sponsored LGBT award.

The winner will receive a post-production package to help with the making of their next film, comprising of sound mixing, sound track lay and dub plus layback. The package is worth an amazing £14,000 and is sponsored by Pinewood Studios Group.

“British films have always been well received at the Iris Prize Film Festival and we are delighted to be screening 10 of the best British LGBT shorts this year. I’m delighted that Pinewood Studios has agreed to sponsor this important prize, they represent everything which makes the British Film Industry the envy of the world,” said Andrew Pierce.

The films will be judged by a five strong independent jury, who will be announced later in the year.

The 30 films competing for the 2015 main Iris Prize are: [Read more…]

In the last 20 year the visibility of gay characters on TV has increased massively, and it’s something the documentary Playing Gay: How America Came Out on Television wants to take a look at. But to do so it’s hoping to raise as extremely ambitious $137,500 on Kickstarter, and with only a week to go it’s still a long way off that target, so it really does need your help.

Playing Gay, ‘is a documentary film that needs the support of the LGBT community and its allies in order to be made. The film will tell — for the first time — the story of how television changed the way America views LGBT people.

‘There has been a major shift in the hearts and minds of America over the past four decades. Television has been both the catalyst for and a powerful reflection of Americans’ views on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.

‘We are lining up interviews with actors and directors who have played key roles in the history of LGBT people on TV. But in order to shoot and edit this film, we need you.’

You can find out more by taking a look at the video below and then heading over to Kickstarter. [Read more…]