The world-renowned and Cardiff based Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival, which celebrates amazing LGBT+ film all year round, is appealing for votes in order to be crowned National Lottery Project of the Year.
The Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival beat off stiff competition from more than 1500 organisations to reach the public voting stage in this year’s National Lottery Awards, which celebrate the inspirational people and projects who do extraordinary things with the help of National Lottery funding.
There are 17 shortlisted finalists from across the UK, who will compete in a four-week public vote to be named the inaugural National Lottery Project of the Year. Winners will receive a £3,000 cash prize for their project and an iconic National Lottery Awards trophy.
Iris Prize Jury with Patron Heather Small
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Iris Prize Jury with Patron Heather Small
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Cardiff based film and TV producer, Berwyn Rowlands, founded the biggest international LGBT+ short film prize in the world
Understandably delighted that the Iris Prize has also made it through to the public vote for Project of the Year, Berwyn told us…….
“We are so honoured to have reached the finals of the National Lottery Awards Project of the Year category.The National Lottery funding the Iris Prize has received has helped us establish a globally recognised festival and prize which has been a springboard for new and emerging talent.
It has also opened up LGBT+ themes to more audiences and has established Cardiff and Wales as a hot destination on the film festival map. With the National Lottery’s support we have achieved so much and hope to achieve so much more. We would be absolutely thrilled if we were voted as the UK’s favourite project.”
Berwyn Rowlands
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Berwyn Rowlands
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Jonathan Tuchner, from the National Lottery told us…..
“In these challenging times that we still find ourselves in, we see so many examples of inspirational work throughout our communities, driven by these very projects. It’s thanks to National Lottery players, who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes, that brilliant projects like these, are possible.
“The Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival are doing some incredible work in their community and they thoroughly deserve to be in the finals of the National Lottery Awards Project of the Year 2021. With your support, they could be a winner.”
Jonathan Tuchner
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Jonathan Tuchner
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IRIS PRIZE is all about celebration, and after an enforced break last year, the awards return between the 5th and 10th October.
It has become a leading voice in championing LGBT+ short film and Iris also runs LGBT+ education and community outreach projects in Wales and the UK throughout the year. Iris has cemented itself as a significant event in the British film festival calendar and has featured in the top 50 film festivals in the world by Movie Maker magazine for four years.
Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival brings filmmakers from around the world to Cardiff, Wales, UK. Iris is home to the largest short film prize in the world – the coveted £30,000 Iris Prize. Supported by the Michael Bishop Foundation, the prize allows the winner to make their next LGBT+ short film here in Cardiff.
Iris also works with Film4 to share all Best British shortlisted films on All 4, the UK’s largest free streaming platform.
The National Lottery Awards are the annual search for the UK’s favourite National Lottery funded people and projects and they celebrate the inspirational individuals and groups who do extraordinary things in their community, especially during these challenging times.
Established by Berwyn in 2006, the National Lottery funded Iris Prize takes place in Cardiff annually and has developed into the biggest international LGBT+ short film prize in the world.
Understandably thrilled to be nominated, Berwyn, who organised his first ever public film festival in Aberystwyth back in 1989, told us……..
“It’s an absolute honour to be shortlisted as a finalist in the Arts category for the 2021 National Lottery Awards. During the pandemic, film has provided escapism and comfort for so many at a time when it’s needed most, and this is why the Iris Prize continued last year in an online capacity.”
“I would like to thank The National Lottery’ players for supporting myself and the Iris Prize and for helping us to run an unique festival which is dedicated to celebrating amazing LGBT+ film and bringing films from this diverse community to the attention of wider audiences around the world.”
What happens at Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival?
- See the very best LGBT+ short films and features
- Panel discussions about filmmaking and LGBT+ life
- Filmmaker Q&As with every short film screening
- Special events and networking opportunities
- Legendary parties
To find out more about this fantastic organisation, and check out the submissions for the awards, just go here – IRIS PRIZE.
To vote for the Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival, please please follow the link on the National Lottery Good Causes website here. Or simply use the Twitter hashtag #NLAIris on twitter. Voting runs until 5pm on 4th October.
For more information about projects funded by The National Lottery or The National Lottery Awards visit GOOD CAUSES and follow the campaign on Twitter: @LottoGoodCauses #NLAwards