The 31 films to compete for the prize, the world’s largest international gay and lesbian short film prize, have been announced by festival organisers in Cardiff, UK. The winner will be offered a chance to make a new short film with the prize valued at £25,000.
The films will screen during this year’s Iris Prize Festival which takes place from October 10th - 14th in Cardiff.
“Once again the shortlist for the 2012 Iris Prize represents the best of the best. Half of the short-listed films have been nominated by our partner festivals – film festivals from around the world that have their fingers on the pulse of upcoming gay and lesbian filmmaking talent. I’m confident that amongst this year’s shortlist we have yet another winner deserving of the Iris Prize,” said Berwyn Rowlands, Iris Prize founder.
“Iris is recognised for supporting talented film makers from all over the world. Three shorts, made with the prize, have been produced since we launched in 2007 and a fourth is just about to start production. 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 Berwyn.
“It’s great to see films from all over the world represented in the shortlist with entries from Canada, Germany, Brazil, Israel, France, Norway, Austria, Ireland, India, New Zealand, Spain, and Switzerland all making it through to the final. The US has got the largest number of films in competition with an impressive 10 out of the final 31,” said Berwyn.
Find out more here.
Films selected from 14 countries for the world’s largest gay and lesbian short film prize
- 10 US filmmakers make the final closely followed by 6 from Australia and 5 from the UK.
- Venezuela make the final for the first time joining, Canada, Germany, Brazil, Israel, France, Norway, Austria, Ireland, India, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, Australia, US and UK.
- Australian filmmakers Craig Boreham and Jarrah Gurrie, and Evan Roberts and Marc Saltarelli from the US make it to the final for the second time!