· films selected from 16 countries for the world’s largest gay and lesbian short film prize supported by the Michael Bishop Foundation
· Cambodia and Chile make it to the final for the first time!
· Old age, including a late night search for Viagra by two old men, identified as one of the major themes
A late night search for Viagra by two aging strangers for a one night stand are just some of the stories tackled by the finalists for the world’s largest short film award. The shortage of the desired blue pill turns out to be a blessing in disguise as the two strangers get a chance to exchange the pleasures of the flesh with the pleasures of the heart.
Organisers of the Iris Prize, supported by The Michael Bishop Foundation have today (11/08/2014) announced the 30 films competing for the £25,000 prize, which continues to be the world’s largest international gay and lesbian short film prize.
The films will screen during this year’s Iris Prize Festival which takes place from October 8th - 12th in Cardiff, Wales, (UK). The winner of the Iris Prize will be announced on Sunday 12 October 2014 during the Iris Awards hosted by Amy Lamé.
“Once again the shortlist for the Iris Prize represents the best of the best. Half of the short-listed films have been nominated by our partner festivals – film festivals from around the world that have their fingers on the pulse of upcoming gay and lesbian filmmaking talent. I’m confident that amongst this year’s shortlist of live action, documentaries and 3 animated films we have yet another winner deserving of the Iris Prize,” said Andrew Pierce, Festival Chair.
“Iris is recognised for supporting talented film makers from all over the world. Five shorts, made with the prize, have been produced since we launched in 2007 and a sixth is just about to start filming. Iris is more than just a trophy that gathers dust or a certificate that yellows on the wall. Iris is what film makers need – funding, support and guidance,” added Andrew.
“It’s great to see films from all over the world represented in the shortlist with entries for the first time from Cambodia and Chile joining work from Canada, Germany, Brazil, Israel, Norway, Ireland, India, Sweden, Australia, US, Belgium, Portugal, and the UK all making it through to the final. The US has once again secures the largest number of films in competition with an impressive 7 out of the final 30,” said Andrew.
The 30 films competing for the 2014 Iris Prize are:
Title
Director
Country
Aban + Korshid
Darwin Serink
USA
All God's Children
Brendon McDonall
Australia
Barrio Boy
Dennis Shinners
USA
Black is Blue
Cheryl Dunye
USA
Bombshell
Erin Sanger
USA
Boygame
Anna Osterlund Nolskog
Sweden
Camouflage
Stephan Kampf, Andreas Kessler
Germany
Chaleur Human (Human Warmth)
Christophe Predari
Belgium
Cigano (Gypsy)
David Bonneville
Portugal
Das Phallometer
Tor Iben
Germany
Disaster Preparedness
Melissa Finell
USA
Einfach - Simple
Markus Wende
Germany
End of Season Sale
Eli Glazer
Israel
FH2: Faghag2000
Em LaGrutta
Australia
Gleisdreieck
Maria Jose San Martin
Chile
Greco - Roman
Aleksander Godø Alnes
Norway
I am Syd Stone
Denis Theriault
Canada
I Love Hooligans
Jan-Dirk Bouw
The Netherlands
Lives Under The Red Light
Vanna Hem
Cambodia
Living In The Overlap
Cindy Hill, Mary Dolton
USA
Middle Man
Charlie Francis
UK
Mitraa
Ravi Jadhav
India
Novena
Anna Rodgers
Ireland
O Nylon da Minha Aldeia (Tissues from the Village)
Possidonio Cachapa
Portugal
One More Night
Jeff Woodward
Canada
Remission
Christopher Brown
UK
Surprise
Leslie Bumgarner
USA
The Package (O Pacote)
Rafael Aidar
Brazil
The Usual
Ruth McNally
Ireland
Zebra
Julia Ocker
Germany
More details here>
Pictured above Zebra dir: Julia Ocker (Germany) one of three animated films in the final 30 competing for the 2014 Iris Prize.
Further Details:
Berwyn Rowlands, Tel: +44 (0)29 20232744, Mobile: +44 (0) 7860 818294
Email: berwyn@irisprize.org www.irisprize.org
Background:
The 2014 Iris Prize Festival will present 6 main awards:
The Iris Prize – Cardiff’s International gay and lesbian short film prize supported by The Michael Bishop Foundation is valued at £25,000 and remains the only short film prize in the world which allows the winner to make a new film.
Iris Prize Best British Short sponsored by Pinewood Studios Group and valued at £14,000 will be presented for the first time in 2014.
Iris Prize Best Feature Award valued at £1,000 is sponsored by Martin Brigs and presented to the best new feature screened at the festival.
Best Actor in a Feature
Best Actress in a Feature
Iris Prize Youth Jury Award sponsored by Cardiff University and presented to one of the short films as selected by a jury of 10 between the ages of 14 and 17.
Important Dates:
The full Iris Prize Festival programme will go live on Tuesday 26 August 2014.
The Box Office will open on Monday 8 September 2014. (Members Priority Booking opens Wednesday 27 August – through Sunday 7 September).
The festival takes place in Cardiff and opens on Wednesday 8 – Sunday 12 October 2014.