Iris Prize Festival partners with Pride Cymru

The organisation responsible for running the Iris Prize, the world’s largest LGBT short film prize, has teamed up with Pride Cymru, organisers of the largest event in Wales celebrating equality and diversity. The partnership will initially run for 12 months and cover a number of special events that will be specifically targeted at Iris Prize members, including a unique film element to take place during Pride’s festival week. As well as an event to celebrate LGBT history month, which will take place in February next year. To become a member visit: http://www.irisprize.org/community/membership/ The agreement will bring stability and allow both organisations to plan future events with confidence. As part of the agreement the Iris Prize Festival will sponsor the Pride Cymru Youth conference for the second year running. The conference is aimed at offering the opportunity to focus on challenges facing young people and allowing their voices to be heard. As part of the relationship between the Iris Prize and Pride Cymru there will also be a special fundraising event taking place in Cineworld Cardiff this July with ‘These Brittle Bones’ a Welsh born singer who now lives in Singapore. The 16-year-old will be making the journey to Cardiff to perform his UK debut for this one off event in aid of Pride Cymru. Pride Cymru will be sponsoring our presence at this year’s Pride Cymru with a stand at the market stall and Iris adverts will also be shown on the big screens next to the main stage. You may also notice some Iris banners dotted around the field so make sure to keep your eyes peeled. Berwyn Rowlands, Iris Prize festival director said “This is an exciting time for Iris in her 10^th anniversary year, and by agreeing in advance to work together with Pride Cymru we are able to bring an element of stability in relations to cost and staffing.” “By building on our existing relationship with Pride Cymru through joint marketing efforts we have seen a dramatic increase in our audience for LGBT film.” He added. Tracey Bancroft Pride Cymru said “we have been working with the Iris Prize for some time, and during this period it has become obvious that we have a lot in common. This agreement recognises the similarities between both organisations, enabling us to plan joint ventures together, which will have a greater impact on our audiences.” “Our inaugural youth conference was a huge success and I was delighted that our delegates were able to experience elements of the Iris Prize Festival, this was an effective way for us to help Iris increase audiences for LGBT film. Our joint collaboration during LGBT History Month was also popular with our community members and I look forward to bringing some of the Iris screen magic as part of this year’s Pride celebrations.” She added.