Celebrating the best of LGBTQ+ film across the UK
The Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film festival celebrates all things queer film, and is one of the largest LGBTQ+ film festivals in the World. Showcasing queer excellence, Iris has grown massively since being founded in 2007 by Berwyn Rowlands.
Filmmakers cutting the Cake. Image: Cameron Wagg
Heading into its 19th festival in October 2025, the Iris Prize hosts two main competitions. The Iris Prize, which brings in films from all around the World including Australia and Asia, and the ‘Best British’ Competition, in which films produced in the UK or by queer British filmmakers compete.
With a large amount of entrants and a stacked competition, 15 films were shortlisted, allowing them to be automatically eligible to be entered for BAFTA and will be streamed on Channel 4 for a year. Additionally during the festival itself, there is now a dedicated day for the Best British Award on 17 October, allowing for extra recognition for all of these filmmakers.
Before the festival begins in October, Iris hosted a summer-party which doubled up as a shortlist announcement, where all 15 of the selected films were announced.
Attendees awaiting the shortlist announcement. Image: Cameron Wagg
These films are: Blackout, Bury Your Gays, Demons, Hot Young Geek seeks Blood Sucking Freak, Lisbon, Man Enough, Meat Raffle, Purebred, Sleazy Tiger, Solers United, Soviet Fantasia, Sweetheart, The Second Time Around, Trailblazers, and Two Black Boys in Paradise. A wide range of films including a stop motion love letter to Black queer people, a documentary on the Queer, Asian scene in Cardiff, and a film about a Transgender man reconnecting with his family following his transition.
Having watched all 15 of these films, I can confirm the competition is extremely tough, and I have gone from being frozen in gut-wrenching sadness, to belly-laughing.
With the summer party during in a crowd of over 60 attendees, there was a huge range of people, from those who worked at the Iris Prize, local LGBTQ+ people, and filmmakers themselves. It was a pleasure to chat to the filmmakers to learn more about their creative processes and also see how glad they were to have been shortlisted.
Samantha Locock from Meat Raffle and The Second Time Around, and Stuart Armstrong from Meat Raffle. Image: Cameron Wagg
Samantha Locock, who was involved in the production of both Meat Raffle and The Second Time Around, said:
“It was genuinely such a huge moment for us. Growing up as filmmakers this is a big goal to be screened at this festival let alone nominated.”
Stuart Armstrong, the director of Meat Raffle, said:
“It was an utter privilege to be selected to not only the most prestigious queer festival in the World but the most welcoming and genuine”, and he thanked the Iris Prize for “supporting emerging queer British filmmakers”.
Alistair Curtis from Sweetheart. Image: Cameron Wagg
Alistair Curtis, the writer of Sweetheart, said:
“it was a true honour to have been picked. It’s lovely to be welcomed into the Iris family. They are the best audience for our film we could possibly imagine”.
With the event running from 2PM till 6PM, there was a wide range of discussion and laughs as everyone had the opportunity to discuss the films shortlisted, and to socialise and get to know each other.
An intimate event, one local Iris loyal attendee, Steve Talbot said:
“it really does feel like being a part of a big family”
At 3PM, Berwyn announced the short-list to thunderous applause, and gave the filmmakers who did turn up (more than half) the opportunity to give a few words explaining their film and to thank Iris.
Afterwards, there was a giant cutting of the cake where all the filmmakers gathered around to get photos and cut the large and beautiful confectionary which had both The Iris Prize and Channel 4 logos on it.
Sobia Bushra from Trailblazers. Image: Cameron Wagg
Sobia Bushra, the director of Trailblazers said she was instantly put at ease when approached by Berwyn, who had said to her:
“Everyone who is usually behind the camera isn’t used to being the face of things. They’re all a bit new to this”
Sobia said this made her feel more comfortable with socialising.
She then said:
“Seeing ourselves together with films we are proud of, fills us with both responsibility and dedication’ and that the event was a ‘fun and cosy celebration with delicious cake!”
Overall, the Summer party was the perfect way to strum up excitement for the festival later on and to celebrate the incredible queer talent who worked on each of these films.
Don’t miss your chance to be a part of one of the UK’s most vibrant celebrations of LGBTQ+ film.
