Iris Prize to move to Cineworld, Llandudno Junction for February festival.

  Organisers of the Iris Prize have today (19 January 2017) confirmed that the Iris Prize is on the move. Plans for a two-day event which will take place at Cineworld in Llandudno Junction were made public. This will be the first time in the festival’s 10-year history for the event to take place outside the capital, Cardiff. Iris Prize Chair, Andrew Pierce commented: “We were delighted to confirm details for this our inaugural festival in North Wales. The two-day programme will include film screenings, education sessions for schools a photographic exhibition, special events and the first Iris Community & Education short film awards.” “It is important that Iris engages with audiences across the UK and this commitment to North Wales is the beginning of an ambitious plan to share LGBT stories with communities across the UK.” Festival Director, Berwyn Rowlands commented: “I’m over the moon to be able to share Iris with the people of North Wales. As a native of North Wales it feels a little like taking Iris home to visit the family! We’ve managed to squeeze so much into the two days including screenings of the Best of Iris with many of the film makers attending to introduce their work. “My personal highlight will be a special event called MY FAVOURITE FILM IS… with three Assembly Members talking about LGBT films which have affected their lives. The three prominent AMs are Jeremy Miles (Welsh Labour), Adam Price (Plaid Cymru) and Suzy Davies (Welsh Conservative). I’m not going to reveal any details before the event, but I’m sure we are in for some fun and games and possibly a tear or two.” The two-day event will close with the inaugural Iris Community & Education Short Film Awards, with awards presented for best films as well as a separate award for best LGBT impact. A total of 18 short films are in the running and the pre-selection juries are busily shortlisting. The best of the best who make the final will screen on the big screen during the festival. The full festival programme will be announced on Friday 27 January 2017. Tickets and passes will go on sale on Wednesday 1 February 2017. All screenings including the Iris and Me photographic exhibition and Awards Show will take place in: Cineworld, Junction Leisure Park, Llandudno Junction, Conwy.  LL31 9XX. 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, Pride Cymru and Bafta Cymru. Iris on the move receives funding and support from: Film Hub Wales and Queer Film Network.