The Iris Film Academy programme will allow the students direct access to the film sector and will be led by industry professionals active in their sector. All talks are held in the Stadium Plaza, Wood Street (where you will also find Vue Cinema) are free to access. The Iris Film Academy 2023 has been supported by an Arts & Business Cymru CultureStep investment in recognition of the support given to Iris by Cardiff University.
Wednesday 11 October, 10.30am
Euros Lyn, the Welsh director behind the beloved Netflix juggernaut Heartstopper, joins us to discuss the series and its impact, along with his incredible television career from Doctor Who, to Sherlock and Happy Valley.
Wednesday 11 October, 12.15pm
Fawzia will be guiding us through her experience in working in both shorts and feature films, how the two differ, offering her advice and an opportunity to ask questions.
Thursday 12 October, 10.30am
Author Emily Garside discusses her new exploratory book ‘Gay Aliens and Queer Folk’, diving deep into the works and worlds of the trailblazing Russell T Davies.
Thursday 12 October, 2pm
Inspiring and boundary-pushing documentaries mirror the world we live in and can play a role in shaping perspectives. How do budding filmmakers take their first steps towards developing ideas for nonfiction films in a way that reveals authentic and compelling new stories?
Hannah Bush Bailey (BFI Doc Society Film & Fund Executive) opens a conversation with filmmakers Julia Alcamo (director of Iris Prize nominated short Ted & Noel, supported through Made of Truth BFI Doc Society Fund), and Jay Bedwani (director of Ffilm Cymru Supported Donna) on developing ideas into impactful films. How do they gain access and build trust with contributors? How important is the role of the producer? How do they juggle creative careers? What’s the key to successful collaboration? This session will also explore current funding opportunities in the UK for creative nonfiction work for new and emerging filmmaking talent.
Book 1-2-1 sessions with industry experts on Thursday 12 October here”
https://ffilmcymruwales.com/news-and-events/iris-prize-lgbtq-film-festival-filmmaker-events
Thursday 12 October, 6pm
What does the future hold for transgender and nonbinary film making and on-screen representation? This roundtable session will allow for discussion from trans filmmakers sharing their experiences and advice, as well as exploring issues such as authentic casting and script writing; opportunities and networks; and providing a space for trans creatives to connect and share ideas.
Friday 13 October, 10.30am
Would you save Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain for future generations to see? If you could choose your favourite LGBTQ+ film, what would you choose? Join our panel as they discuss which queer films they’re going to shelve and which they will fight to preserve. It could get messy…
Friday 13 October, 12pm
This session will provide details of the networks available in Wales, with a panel of Trade Union Members. Hear top tips from those behind the scenes and front of camera on how to succeed in Wales screen industry and beyond – this talk should help both those new to and those established in their work seek new connections and systems of support.
Friday 13 October, 2.30pm
It’s A Sin, Nolly, The Last of Us director Peter Hoar will be sharing his expertise.
Saturday 14 October 2023, 10.30am
Ahead of his much-anticipated return to Doctor Who, Welsh screenwriting trailblazer Russell T Davies joins us in conversation to discuss his groundbreaking projects and career. From Queer as Folk, It’s a Sin, Years and Years, Bob & Rose, Cucumber, Casanova, Torchwood, Doctor Who and Nolly.
There will also be filmmakers and other industry professionals available for bookable 1-2-1 sessions throughout the week of the festival. The list of available people and sessions will be available soon.
The following feature films all have talent attending:
Unlucky-in-love martial artist Juniper has hit rock bottom. She’s working at her ex-girlfriend’s MMA studio by day and crashing on her couch by night. Needing something to call her own, Juniper steps into a local thrift store and buys a painting. What was a spur-of-the-moment purchase turns into a life-changing adventure when two masked thieves try to steal the painting.
Introduction and Q+A with the director, Cinder Chou
A 19-year-old Polish immigrant working at a fish factory in Norway has feelings for his colleague. A strike begins among the Polish workers at the factory testing their relationship, and with their fellow workers.
Introduction and Q+A with the director, Leiv Igor Devold.
In a youth correctional facility, Joe is preparing his return to society. But William’s arrival turns his desire for freedom into desire of another kind. Behind fences and cell walls, passions begin to play havoc with the need for liberty. To love each other, they will have to break the law.
Introduction and Q+A with the director, Zeno Graton.
In 1999, the sudden death of her father Hassan (Hamza Haq) sends queer Muslim grad student Azra (Amrit Kaur) flying back to her ancestral home in Pakistan, where her stern mother Mariam (Nimra Bucha) demands she play the role of the perfect grieving daughter. But through flashbacks to Mariam’s own life in Karachi 30 years before, we see the connections uniting mother and daughter, starting with their shared love of the Bollywood star Sharmila Tagore.
Introduction and Q+A with the director, Fawzia Mirza.
Helen (Louise Brealey) lives with her ex-husband, his 20-year-old girlfriend, their new baby – and his dying mother Gwen. Her life is a grind, and like all the other women she toils with at the local chicken factory, is spent in service of the clock. She lives only for laughing with her friends at work, caring for Gwen, and music. When Joanne, the girl she secretly loved at school, comes back to town, Helen’s world is turned upside down.
Introduction and Q+A with the director Janis Pugh.
A young priest is intent on denying his homosexuality, and he’s not doing a very good job. Meanwhile, his alien ex-lover is plotting to turn the Earth into a homosexual planet during a cosmic event and Captain Faggotron is caught in the middle. Clashing ideologies culminate in an orgy of gay demons and a love that no longer has to hide.
Introduction and Q+A with the director Harvey Rabbit.
Box Office: https://irisprize.org/2023-box-office/
Iris Film Academy students also have access to the short films screening at Iris on Vimeo (See below)
Short Films 2023:
Here are the links to the short film packages screening at the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival 2023 – We hope you enjoy.
To watch a programme click on the Vimeo link and add the password (Jury23) to access:
|
Programme Name |
Vimeo Link |
| A Little Light Relief | https://vimeo.com/showcase/10592777 |
| Troubled Waters | https://vimeo.com/showcase/10592679 |
| Brief Encounters | https://vimeo.com/showcase/10592653 |
| Hidden Depths | https://vimeo.com/showcase/10592615 |
| Silver Hearts | https://vimeo.com/showcase/10592565 |
| We Were All Young Once! | https://vimeo.com/showcase/10592529 |
| Dark Deeds | https://vimeo.com/showcase/10592491 |
| Mother Dear | https://vimeo.com/showcase/10592448 |
| Strength in Community | https://vimeo.com/showcase/10592303 |
| Trans Stories | https://vimeo.com/showcase/10592289 |
| Hook, Line, and Sinker | https://vimeo.com/showcase/10579048 |
| Internal Conflict | https://vimeo.com/showcase/10579026 |
| Expressing Myself | https://vimeo.com/showcase/10578857 |
