Our Code of Conduct is designed to ensure that the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival is a safe space for LGBTQ+ people and inclusive for everyone. As we celebrate together, there is a standard of behaviour expected of all our staff, contractors, volunteers and audiences. Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct could result in you being asked to leave and may affect your future involvement with Iris.
Here at the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival we are passionate about film and sharing of LGBTQ+ stories with as many people as possible. We do not censor the films submitted to us, and our preselection panels and partner festivals choose films based on excellence in storytelling. At times the content of some of our films may be challenging or open discussion about subjects that viewers may not have considered before. We encourage respectful, positive, constructive and thought-provoking conversations both at our physical festival and online. Abusive language in these conversations will not be tolerated.
We do not accept hate speech aimed at members of the LGBTQ+ communities or any other minority groups. Comments of this nature made on any of our online platforms will be deleted and the
commenter may be blocked from participating or removed as appropriate. We will consider reporting any of these incidents when seen or heard to the police. For information in the UK a hate crime may be described as:
…when someone commits a crime against a person because of their disability, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, religion, or
any other perceived difference. It doesn’t always include physical violence. Someone using offensive language towards a person or harassing them because of who they are, or who they think they are, is also a crime. The same goes for someone posting abusive or offensive messages about someone online.
Iris Prize is a celebration of diversity and equality and all our staff, contractors, volunteers and audiences are expected to respect this.
Iris Prize will not tolerate any individual or group engaged in offensive behaviour, or any signage targeting another individual’s: Sexuality, Gender, Gender identity, Race, Age, Nationality, Disability, Appearance, Religion or any other protected characteristic. Any individual found to have harassed or otherwise harmed another staff member, contractor, volunteer, participant or attendee will be asked to leave the event immediately and may be reported to the police.
Any individual found to be consuming illegal substances (other than prescribed medication) at an Iris Prize event will be asked to leave by security staff or venue staff.
Any individual deemed to be aggressive, threatening, incapacitated, a risk to their own health, or unable to perform their intended role due to intoxication will not be permitted to take part in the event.
If anyone engaging with the festival, whether they are audience member, volunteer, contractor or staff, feels they have been inappropriately treated, or witnesses anyone else being inappropriately treated, we would ask that they speak with a senior
member of the Iris Prize Team or email report@irisprize.org to enable us to take action. A senior member of the Iris Prize Team will then follow up with any proposed action ensuring the complainant details are protected unless otherwise agreed by them.
Failure to abide by the Code of Conduct by a volunteer or Iris Prize Team member may result in the Volunteer or Team member being asked to leave the site and following a review by the Iris Prize their role as a volunteer or team member may be terminated.
