Iris celebrates LGBT History Month with new short films

As the UK’s LGBT History Month reaches its half way point organisers of the Iris Prize have today confirmed the release of 19 new short films on their ground-breaking LGBT+ film library. Launched in 2016 the film library now has 50 short films which have been produced by community groups and secondary school pupils from all over Wales. Available free of charge on YouTube, the films are all unique, telling different stories using comedy as well as hard hitting drama to communicate their message. LGBT History Month is also proving a very busy and popular time for screening films from the main Iris Prize archive. By the end of February, Team Iris will have produced mini festivals, screenings and talks across the UK.   Berwyn Rowlands, Festival Director, commented: “I look forward to LGBT History Month as it allows Iris to share some amazing short films with audiences across the UK. It also keeps us busy during the dark month of February and by the time it is over, Spring is almost with us! This year we’ve got screenings in schools, the workplace and a prison. We are fortunate to be working with supportive partners including Co-op Respect, Into Film, Bournemouth Film School and the Met Film School in Ealing London. This year we will have been to Manchester, Bridgend, Swansea, Bournemouth, London and Cardiff, sharing LGBT+ stories using film.” Andrew Pierce, Iris Prize Chair, commented: “Community groups and school pupils across Wales have been busy over the past 12 months discussing films, putting on mini Iris film festivals and producing their own short films. I’m delighted that 19 new short films will be available to view on our YouTube channel. The stories and themes cover everything from Birchgrove WI baking an LGBT cake in Cardiff, mental health issues and recollections from a care home about historical stories of pre-legalised Britain.” View the Education Films and the Community Films on YouTube.