The Best of Iris 2021: LGBT+ Film Festival

The Best of Iris 2021: LGBT+ Film Festival

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.”  

We Will Become Better

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.”    

Cwch Deilen

Iris Prize Youth Jury Award 2021

Winner

S.A.M. | 15

Director: Lloyd Eyre-Morgan And Neil David Ely
Producer: Nell Green
Writer: Lloyd Eyre-Morgan And Neil David Ely
UK, 16 Minutes

Two young men form a connection on the swings of their local park.

S.A.M
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