Changing Attitude undisputed winners at Iris Awards

  Changing Attitude Trawsnewid Agwedd Cymru were the undisputed winners at the inaugural Iris Community and Education Short Film Awards taking two of the main awards. The other winner was Woodlands High School Cardiff which took the Best Education Short Film at a packed Cineworld in Llandudno Junction. The Awards show was the final event of Iris on the move… - a two-day mini Iris which included a photographic exhibition by Jon Pountney supported by British Council Wales and Ffotogallery, the launch of the Best of Iris 2016 a new selection of award winning LGBT short films sponsored by Film Hub Wales and Queer Film Network and a My Favourite Film Is (pictured below) session with three prominent AMs, which took place at Cineworld in Llandudno Junction. The first award of the evening for Best Community Film was presented by Assembly Member Suzie Davies to the film All One in Christ by Changing Attitude Trawsnewid Agwedd Cymru (pictured above). The film deals with the pain experienced by LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual) people, as a result of being made unwelcome, or the fear of being unwelcome, even rejected, by the Church. But the film is also full of faith, and hope, and even love, for a Church that continues to struggle with accepting people whatever their sexuality. The Best Education Film award was presented by Assembly Member Jeremy Miles to the film Stare by Woodlands High School, Cardiff. Pupils from the school were asked what makes them happy and sad and the film is a powerful and honest response. The final award of the evening, the Leadership Award, was presented by Assembly Member Adam Price to Changing Attitude Trawsnewid Agwedd Cymru. The organisers of the Iris Prize felt that their film was more than just a one off production. The film belonged to a tradition of campaigning to make a difference and to change attitudes over a period of time. Berwyn Rowlands who presented the show said: “Every now and again something happens which reminds you that things can change. Something happens that reminds you how amazing and resilient people can be. Every now and again something happens that reminds you there might be more good in this world than bad.” The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan commented before the film’s premiere in December 2016: “This film will not be easy watching for church members as it reminds us how people among us have been ostracised and mistreated because of their sexuality. By sharing the personal stories of those who have suffered and been hurt I hope this powerful film will bring home to all the scale of the damage done and ultimately help change attitudes within the church.” The 10 shortlisted films will get an even bigger audience when they are added to the Iris Prize You Tube Channel, at the beginning of March. The following montage is a celebration of all the films produced by Iris in the Community over the past 4 years and includes the 10 shortlisted finalists. https://youtu.be/Z_yDtdBYNzA The community films have been produced by Iris in The Community thanks to the funding awarded by the Big Lottery Fund Wales with support from Video Europe. The education shorts have also been produced by Iris in the Community and funded by Ffilm Cymru Wales and You Tube. The five short films in the Community shortlist were:

1. All One in Christ – Changing Attitude, Trawsnewid Agwedd Cymru
2. Ashford + Charlie – Mencap Cymru (Awarded second place)
3. Awareness in LGBT Sport – LGB&T Sport Cymru (Awarded third place)
4. My First Pride – Pride Cymru Youth Council
5. Total Recurl – NHS Velindre

The five short films in the Education shortlist were:

1. Alex – Ysgol Gyfun Cymer Rhondda, Rhondda (Awarded second place)
2. Dear Diary – Ysgol David Hughes, Menai Bridge, Ynys Môn
3. Stacey’s Story – Mary Immaculate High School, Cardiff
4. Stare – Woodlands High School, Cardiff
5. The BIstander – Fitzalan High School, Cardiff (Awarded third place)

                The jury members were: Community Jury: (pictured above)

• Neil David Ely, Film maker
• Nicola Munday, Ffilm Cymru Wales
• Jon Pountney, Photographer
• Silvia Sheehan, Off Y Grid

Education Jury: (pictured above)

• Cath Harrison, Pride Cymru
• Lloyd-Eyre Morgan, Film maker
• Sue Oliver, Rainbowbiz
• Sara Way, Rainbowbiz

The main festival sponsors are: The Michael Bishop Foundation, Welsh Government, BFI, Ffilm Cymru Wales, Pinewood Studios Group, Cardiff University, Gorilla Group, Cineworld, Pride Cymru, British Council Wales, Orchard, and Bafta Cymru. Iris on the move receives funding and support from: Film Hub Wales and Queer Film Network.