Iris Film Festival

Categories:: Arts & Entertainment
Tags:: LGBTQ Lifestyle
Where:: United Kingdom
Date change rule:: A week chosen by the festival company in October
Holiday emoji:: 🎥

The Iris Film Festival lights up Cardiff each October, showcasing the world’s largest LGBTQ+ short film prize. This international event champions diverse filmmakers and powerful storytelling. Join audiences online and in person to discover groundbreaking cinema, support emerging talent, and celebrate queer narratives.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Hero
History
Timeline
Businesses
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate

Expected Iris Film Festival Deals

As an internationally recognized film festival, the Iris Film Festival focuses on celebrating cinematic talent rather than commercial deals. However, film enthusiasts can look for special ticket packages, festival passes, and early bird discounts on screenings and events. Past years have seen support from organizations like the British Film Institute (BFI) and Warner Bros. Discovery, offering grants and promotional opportunities for winning filmmakers. We will update this page with confirmed live details for festival access and related initiatives as October approaches.

Platform Guide for Iris Film Festival

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #IrisFilmFestival. Share behind-the-scenes content, film stills, and interviews with filmmakers and attendees.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #IrisFilmFestival. Follow live updates, Q&A sessions, and discussions around the festival’s winning films and themes.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #IrisFilmFestival. Engage with community discussions, share event schedules, and promote your favorite short films.

Iris Film Festival Hero

Berwyn Rowlands

Berwyn Rowlands is the visionary Festival Director and founder of the Iris Prize, which launched in 2007. His dedication to creating a platform for LGBTQ+ short films has transformed the festival into the world's largest prize of its kind. Rowlands's leadership has not only elevated queer cinema but also fostered a vibrant community of filmmakers and enthusiasts in Cardiff and beyond, ensuring diverse stories are seen and celebrated.

History of Iris Film Festival

The Iris Prize is an international L.G.B.T.+ film prize and festival, open to any film which is by, for, about, or of interest to gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender audiences and completed within two years of the prize deadline. It was created in 2007 by Berwyn Rowlands. John Berwyn Rowlands was born in September 1966. He is a Welsh creative producer and founder of the Festivals Company and the Iris Prize Festival.

In 2006 Rowlands established The Festivals Company, presently responsible for event management, public relations, and marketing consultancy. It was through this organization that Rowlands actualized the Iris Prize. The Festivals Company fixes the date for the Iris Prize Film Festival, although it is always a week in October. The company is situated in Cardiff, Wales, where the festivals are held.

Rowlands has been a campaigner and activist for L.G.B.T.+ rights and inclusivity. His efforts have earned him several awards, the most recent being a ‘St David Awards’ award presented to him by the First Minister of Wales in 2022, acknowledging his work with the Iris Prize.

The Iris Prize has gained the love and the support of L.G.B.T.+ film festivals from around the world. The award has made possible the first international award platform with the intent of raising the profile of L.G.B.T.+ cinema. It continues to help the new generation of filmmakers attain recognition in the international scenes. The year 2020 was the only year the festival in Cardiff could not hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event however continued smoothly online.

The Iris Prize is celebrated throughout October online and has been a source of inspiration to the L.G.B.T.+ community as it has given them the representation in the cinematic universe they deserve.

Iris Film Festival timeline

2006

The Festivals Company Surfaces

John Berwyn Rowlands establishes The Festivals Company.

2007

The Iris Prize Film Festival Begins

The Festivals Company organizes the first Iris Prize Film Festival.

2020

COVID-19 Halts the Festival

Iris Headquarters closes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2022

Recognition Award for Rowlands

John Berwyn Rowlands receives a ‘St David Awards’ award for his work with the Iris Prize Film Festival.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Iris Film Festival

Local businesses in Cardiff can embrace the Iris Film Festival by hosting special themed events, offering discounts to festival pass holders, or decorating their premises in support of the LGBTQ+ community. Restaurants and cafes could create film-inspired menus, while local shops might feature displays related to queer cinema. Partnering with the festival for pre- or post-screening gatherings can also create a welcoming atmosphere for attendees and filmmakers alike, fostering community engagement.

Iris Film Festival FAQs

When is Iris Film Festival?

In 2026, the Iris Film Festival runs from Tuesday, October 13, through Sunday, October 18, bringing a week of inspiring LGBTQ+ cinema to Cardiff.

What is the Iris Prize?

The Iris Prize, awarded during the festival, is the world’s largest LGBTQ+ short film prize, providing the winning filmmaker with £30,000 to create their next short film. It’s a significant boost for emerging talent.

How many films are screened at the Iris Film Festival?

The Iris Film Festival typically screens over 35 short films competing for the Iris Prize, alongside a diverse program of feature films, documentaries, and special presentations. The selection showcases a wide range of global LGBTQ+ narratives.

Is the Iris Film Festival only for short films?

While the Iris Prize is specifically for short films, the festival’s program extends beyond this, including feature films, documentaries, and special events. It offers a comprehensive celebration of LGBTQ+ cinema.

Iris Film Festival Activities

Attend the festival
What better way to celebrate this event than to attend the festival in Cardiff! There is so much to experience and enjoy, whether you are by yourself or with a loved one.
Watch the event online
Usually, watching a live event is the next best thing to being there in person. Many television stations or streaming sites, such as YouTube, may broadcast the event.
Celebrate on social platforms
Celebrate The Iris Prize Film Festival on your social media feed. Engage with others who are also celebrating by liking, commenting, or retweeting their posts.

5 Interesting Facts About The Iris Film Festival

Firm supporter
Cardiff University is a firm supporter of the Iris Prize Film Festival.
Makes the top 50 list
The Iris Prize Film Festival is one of the Top 50 film festivals in the world.
Insane cash price
The Iris Prize Film Festival award comes with about $30,000 to support the winning filmmakers make their next film.
Berwyn Rowlands started the event
Welsh creative producer, Berwyn Rowlands, started the event.
Its held in October
Since its debut in 2007, the Iris Prize Film Festival has been held in October.

Why We Love Iris Film Festival

It represents the L.G.B.T.+ community
The Iris Prize Film Festival stands firm in its support of the L.G.B.T.+ community. It gives the community creatives a voice and a platform to be recognized.
It promotes the L.G.B.T.+ cinema
People are encouraged to watch more L.G.B.T.+ movies as the light is shined upon them. It helps society appreciate and familiarize itself with L.G.B.T.+ content.
It supports starting-up filmmakers
The Iris PrizeFilm Festival supports filmmakers still trying to make a name for themselves and continue their work. Although the cash award goes to a lucky few, others still get featured in the spotlight.