Shortlisted films announced for Iris Community & Education Short Film Awards 2017

• An alternative take on the classic Romeo and Juliet by Mencap Cymru

• A film which received its premiere in a North Wales cathedral

• Inaugural Community and Education Awards to close first #LGBT film festival in North Wales

• Winners announced during Awards Show at Cineworld Llandudno Junction on Thursday 16 February 2017
Organisers of the Iris Prize have today (3 February 2017) confirmed the names of the 10 short films through to the final round of the Iris Community and Education Short Film Awards. Ten films in two categories have been selected by a panel of film industry professionals and leaders in LGBT+ equality to compete for the main prizes. An alternative take on the classic Romeo and Juliet by Mencap Cymru, a film which received its premiere in a North Wales cathedral and a group of young people who stand up to the school bully are just some of the themes covered in the films. The five short films in the Co mmunity shortlist are:
  1. All One in Christ – Changing Attitude, Trawsnewid Agwedd Cymru
  2. Ashford + Charlie – Mencap Cymru
  3. Awareness in LGBT Sport – LGB&T Sport Cymru
  4. My First Pride – Pride Cymru Youth Council
  5. Total Recurl – NHS Velindre
The five short films in the Education shortlist are:
  1. Alex – Ysgol Gyfun Cymer Rhondda, Rhondda
  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
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. There will be an opportunity for the public to see all 10 films on the big screen at Cineworld Llandudno Junction as part of the two-day Iris on the move event on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 February 2017. The films will eventually appear on the Iris Prize You Tube Channel. Festival Director, Berwyn Rowlands commented: “Communities and schools across Wales have been very busy writing, directing and producing some amazing short films. I’m confident that these new awards will help find a bigger audience for their work which promotes a better understanding of issues faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.” “The community films have been produced by Iris in The Community thanks to the funding awarded by the Big Lottery Fund 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 jury members who created the shortlists are: Community Jury:
  • Neil David Ely, Film maker
  • Nicola Munday, Ffilm Cymru Wales
  • Jon Pountney, Photographer
  • Silvia Sheehan, Off Y Grid
Education Jury:
  • Cath Harrison, Pride Cymru
  • Lloyd-Eyre Morgan, Film maker
  • Sue Oliver, Rainbowbiz
  • Sara Way, Rainbowbiz
The judges will have one last chance to see the films with the public before retiring to make their decisions. But they will need to be quick and reach their decisions before the award show which starts at 8pm on Thursday the 16 of February.