House of Lords reception to celebrate 10th anniversary

150 guests attended a reception in the House of Lords last night (24 May 2016) to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the Iris Prize, Cardiff’s International LGBT short film prize. The well attended reception including representatives from Pinewood Studios, Gorilla Group, BFI, Cardiff University, Cineworld and Ffilm Cymru Wales was hosted by Iris Prize patron and sponsor Lord Glendonbrook. Ed Vaizey, the Minister for Culture Communications and the Creative Industries joined Festival Chair Andrew Pierce in congratulating Iris during his speech. Festival Chair, Andrew Pierce, said: “I’m delighted that so many people - former jury members, winning film makers, sponsors and funders and the festival team are here tonight. You’ve all contributed to the Iris Prize story and watched her become a world leader in producing and sharing lgbt stories. “We’ve done this by working in partnership here in the UK and with 25 partner festivals in 19 countries. But let’s be honest one of the main reasons for the success of Iris is the generous £30,000 cash prize. And tonight of all nights, as we enjoy the hospitality of Lord Glendonbrook in this historic place, we should remember his continued support of the Iris Prize through The Michael Bishop Foundation. Trust me when I say Iris would be a very different prize without his generous support.” Ed Vaizey Minister for Culture Communications and the Creative Industries addressing the audience said he was delighted to attend the event and congratulated Lord Glendonbrook and Andrew Pierce, for supporting the Iris Prize which he felt was making an important contribution towards diversity in film. During an emotional address Lord Glendonbrook took advantage of the occasion to remind guests not to take the liberties we have secured, and enjoy today, for granted. He suggested that there was a feeling of co-ordinated challenge to our hard fought freedoms manifesting in many places near and far. A minority is always vulnerable in a World that can change without warning. He concluded by confirming that Iris had an important role to play in sharing and producing LGBT content to educate the world about being LGBT, and helping to improve tolerance. The 10^th Iris Prize Festival will take place in Cardiff opening on Wednesday 12 October. Further events are scheduled to place in Toronto, London, Bristol, Liverpool, Dublin, LA and Mumbai to celebrate 10th anniversary. Photo: Berwyn Rowlands (Festival Director), Ed Vaizey (Minister for Culture Communications and the Creative Industries), Andrew Pierce (Festival Chair) and Lord Glendonbrook (Festival Patron and funder).