The winners of this year’s Iris Prize 2022, the Oscars of the LGBTQ+ world, were announced at a special awards ceremony on Saturday, October 15, marking the successful end to the festival’s return to being a fully face-to-face event.
Tarneit, directed by John Sheedy (Australia), has been announced as the winner of Cardiff’s International LGBTQ+ Short Film Prize, supported by the Michael Bishop Foundation. The £30,000 prize enables the winners of the Iris Prize to make a new short film in Wales.
Tarneit tells the story of Tyrone, who lives with his mother and her boyfriend Pommy, a lowlife drug dealer who despises immigrants and homosexuals. Tyrone’s best friend Clinton, a refugee, lives with his older brother Shaker, who also has similarly firm ideas about race and sex. Despite these obstacles, the boys share a bond, both deaf, both neglected by family, and each dreaming of escaping from the brutal violence that surrounds them.
Bård Ydén, Chair of the Jury, said: “The quality of the films in competition is as high as it is diverse, and we’ve been on an emotional rollercoaster throughout the selection process – which is exactly where we want films to take us.
“A number of films stood out, however, and in particular, Tarneit. It touched us in numerous ways, through exceptional storytelling and performances. This is a multi-layered film that will stay with you and we can’t wait to see what the filmmaker will present us with in the future.”
Queer Parivaar, directed by Shiva Raichandani, won the Iris Prize Best British Short, supported by Film4 and Pinewood Studios. The winner will receive a package of services sponsored by Pinewood Studios Group and all of the nominated films are eligible for consideration for BAFTA and can automatically be entered by the filmmakers.
Queer Parivaar tells the story of Madhav and Sufi. When a mysterious gatecrasher appears at their wedding, they’re forced to face past secrets and reflect on what makes a family.
Tim Highsted, Channel 4, and Chair of the Iris Prize Best British Short jury, said: “This year’s British shorts at Iris once again reveal an array of talented filmmakers – from the joyful and warm winning short, Queer Parivaar – through to all the films that were shortlisted.
“It was an almost impossible task to select from all the films, but the jury felt special commendations should go to the witty The Rev, directed by Fabia Martin for its humour; the beautiful and subtly observed drama A Fox in the Night, directed by Keenan Anwar Blessie; and the haunting and poetical Nant, directed by Tom Chetwode Barton.
“I am also delighted to announce Film4’s renewal of support for the Iris Prize and the Best British Short for a further three years. Iris is a unique organisation that presents the best and most original LBGTQ+ work each year and like Channel 4 showcases original talent and stories, which we can bring to audiences through All4 after the festival has ended.”
This year’s Iris Prize Best Feature Award, sponsored by Bad Wolf, was won by Metamorphosis, directed by Jose Enrique Tiglao (Philippines). The winner was chosen by a jury of students from the University of South Wales Film and TV School Wales.
Metamorphosis tells the story of fifteen-year-old Adam, who harbours a secret: he has both male and female genitalia. Experiencing menstruation for the first time, Adam has his whole life is thrown into turmoil. As he discusses the possibility of gender reassignment surgery with doctors, tensions begin to build between the teenager and his devout Christian parents, but he forms a surprising bond with Angel, an older transfer student at his high school who harbours a secret of her own.
Tom Abell, Chair of the Iris Prize, said: “I would like to congratulate Berwyn and the whole Iris team on this outstanding 16th edition of Iris Prize. We are so pleased to have been able to welcome national and international filmmakers back to Cardiff to celebrate queer filmmaking in all its colours, bringing to Wales and the rest of the UK the very best in short film making and queer creativity.
“I would also like to thank the juries for their careful thoughts, discussions and lively conversations that have delivered this year’s winners including the first ever award for a role that goes beyond the binary. As always Iris leads the way.”
Berwyn Rowlands, Iris Prize Film Festival Director, added: “There was a great energy about the festival this year, which was helped by having the international filmmaking community return to Cardiff, the perfect host city.
“The films were warmly received by our audience and the winners are proving to be a popular choice. Although the in-person festival has come to an end our UK audience can still enjoy the online programme till the end of October.”
Iris Prize will return next year from Tuesday, October 10 – Sunday, October 15, and online until the end of October.
Full details about Iris Prize and this year’s winners can be found HERE
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