So So Gay
Today saw the announcement of the shortlist of finalists whose short films will be competing for the coveted £25,000 prize towards making their next short. The prize money has already gone towards making three films – including Till Kleinert’s Boys Village, which wowed London audience at our Best of the Iris Prize event back in July – with the fourth film currently in post production.
‘Iris is recognised for supporting talented filmmakers from all over the world,’ says Iris Prize founder Berwyn Rowlands. ‘Iris is more than just a trophy that gathers dust or a certificate that yellows on the wall. Iris is what filmmakes need – funding, support and guidance.’
Yet again the prize showcases the cream of LGBT short filmmaking talent, from a spread of no less than sixteen countries – with Venezuela joining the competition for the first time. But as much as UK films have always been dominant in previous years, this time it’s the turn of Australia and the United States, with ten and six films respectively eying up the prize. By comparison, the UK has only five entries this year.
As varied as the films’ origins are, so are their subjects. There’s everything from an unexpected comfort in break up pie, a one night stands with a serial killer, and the anxiety of body hair growth.
The 31 shorts look set to make the festival – which runs in Cardiff between 10-14 October 2012 – diverse and exciting, with a selection of feature premieres to compliment the competitive programmes. So So Gay will be there to bring you all the coverage if you’re not fortunate enough to travel to the Welsh capital yourself. However, you can always try to win a complete VIP package in our competition, which closes at 11:59pm on 30 August 2012.
Featured Image: Still from Prora, one of the competing films at this year’s Iris Prize Festival. Photograph: Courtesy of Iris Prize 2012.
