The Best of Iris 2021: LGBT+ Film Festival

9 February 2022

Doors open 4:15pm, screening starts 4:30pm, Saturday 12 March 2022
The Pavilion, Blackpool Winter Gardens, 97 Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 1HL.

The 15th Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival brought a huge variety of LGBT+ short films to their first ever in-person and online festival. This diverse selection of outstanding short films showcases unique stories from around the world with a strong British representation.

Join us at the Winter Gardens Pavilion as we explore a selection of the best of the festival introduced by Iris Prize director Berwyn Rowlands.

The films

WINNER: Iris Prize and Iris Prize Best British 2021

Baba | 12A

Directed by Sam Arbor and Adam Ali
Producer: Hannah Stevenson; Co-Producer Susan Simnett
Writer: Sam Arbor and Adam Ali
UK, 18 MINUTES

Living in the tunnels beneath Tripoli a queer Libyan teenager, Britannia, dreams of escape to a better life, but an unexpected discovery forces him to question whether to stay or flee from his homeland and his friends.

Iris Jury: “A skilfully constructed film that speaks to oppression, acceptance and the strength of community. The direction is impressive, coherent and offers moments of self-reflection whilst transmitting courageousness and pride in one’s identity. The issues explored are systemic issues that affect countless others, but the story is portrayed in a hopeful way which encourages a call to action to continue the fight for equality”.

Iris Prize 2021 HIGHLY COMMENDED

We Will Become Better – Sansara | PG

Director: Andzej Gavriss
Producer: Line Producer Alexandra Galius. Executive Producer Egor Solomatin, Marizov Mikhail, Evgeny Primachenko. Associate Producer Gijs Determeijer, Ulia Petrova
Writer: Evgeny Primachenko, Andzej Gavriss
RUSSIA, 6 MINUTES

Russian indie band Sansara made this music video as a tribute to Russia’s LGBT+ community, 12 months after the country passed legislation defining marriage solely as the union of man and woman. It’s a wonderful fusion of music and movement and a stirring tale of thwarted love, and though we can take no credit for this, it’s garnered over 1million views on YouTube since being submitted for the Iris Prize!

Iris Jury: “With uncompromising, magical aesthetics and an intricate structure, this creative approach to filmmaking acts as a celebration for equality. This film reminds us about the need to connect with others despite distance and circumstances.”

Iris Prize Best British 2021 HIGHLY COMMENDED

Cwch Deilen | U

Director: Efa Blosse-Mason
Producer: Amy Morris
Writer: Efa Blosse-Mason
WALES, 8 MINUTES

An animated love story about a leaf which becomes a boat, and fears come out of the murky waters as sea monsters and storms. Will the Leaf Boat survive the tumultuous waves?

Iris Jury: “A magical, imaginative and touching animation with gorgeously drawn imagery.”