We want your films!

Submissions are now open for the 2016 Iris Prize Festival, with a total prize fund of £55,000 ($80,000). Organisers of the Iris Prize have today (11 January 2016) confirmed that the £30,000 Iris Prize, awarded to the best LGBT short film, continues to be the world’s largest short film prize, thanks to the generous support of The Michael Bishop Foundation. Prior to presenting the Iris Prize Best British Short in 2015, Andrew Smith, Director of Strategy and Communications at Pinewood Studios Group delighted the audience when he confirmed that they would continue sponsoring the Best British prize in 2016 but would also increase their sponsorship from £14,000 to £20,000. “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 5 in 2016. LGBT film festivals who would like to be considered should contact festival organisers as soon as possible. “As part of our 10^th anniversary celebrations we have decided to increase the number of partner festivals from 20 to 25. By increasing our global network of partners we are making sure we get to see the very best LGBT short films from all four corners of the globe,” said Festival Chair Andrew Pierce. Submissions are now open for the 2016 Iris Prize Festival. The Cardiff (UK) based festival, which takes place from 12th – 16th October 2016, presents three main awards:

• Iris Prize - Cardiff's International LGBT short film prize supported by The Michael Bishop Foundation
• Iris Prize Best British Short sponsored by Pinewood Studios Group
• Iris Prize Best Feature Award sponsored by Martin Briggs

“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 6^th 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 8^th short film,” he added. Details about submitting films can be found here: