Iris On the Move visits towns & cities across the UK

The Best of Iris 2022 programme includes four winning short films and one highly commended title which impressed audiences, including the judges during the Cardiff based festival in October 2022. This diverse selection of outstanding short films showcases unique stories from around the world.
 
The 2023 tour will also include a programme of three new Iris Production Films. Both programmes are made available free of charge to cinemas and other venues in the UK, although donations to Iris are always appreciated. 
 
Berwyn Rowlands, Festival Director said: “This year, I am thrilled that we are visiting Belfast for the first time. It is brilliant that we are adding Northern Ireland to our annual road-trip with Iris.

“I love meeting the people who make the films, and I will be introducing a number of the screenings personally.  Most of the Iris On The Move screenings will include a Q&A, allowing the audience to have direct access to the visiting filmmakers.”
 
Iris On The Move 2023 will be visiting the following cities and towns:

• Bangor (Pontio) Wednesday, 1 February
• Cardiff (Chapter) Saturday, 4 February
• Manchester (HOME) Saturday, 4 February
• Manchester (HOME) Monday, 6 February
• Bournemouth (Arts University) Tuesday, 7 February
• Bournemouth (Arts University) Wednesday, 8 February
• Swansea (Taliesin Arts Centre), Tuesday, 7 February
• Blackpool (Winter Gardens) Saturday, 11 February
• Cardiff (Pink Portraits, Revisited) Monday 13 February
• Cardiff (National Museum) Friday, 17 February
• Pontardawe Arts Centre, Friday 17 February
• Plymouth (Arts University) Tuesday, 21 February
• Aberystwyth (Arts Centre) Saturday, 25 February
• Liverpool (FACT at Picturehouse) Monday, 27 February
• Belfast (Queen’s Film Theatre) Tuesday, 28 February
• Newcastle (Tyneside) Tuesday, 7 March
• Bexhill-on-Sea (De La Warr Pavilion) TBC

If you would like your local cinema to get involved, please contact Iris at Adnan@irisprize.org  
 
One of the highlights of the Best of Iris 2022 programme is the Iris Prize international winner Tarneit, directed by John Sheedy. The film follows Tyrone who lives with his mother and her boyfriend Pommy, a lowlife drug dealer who despises immigrants and homosexuals. Tyrone’s best friend Clinton, a refugee, lives with his older brother Shaker, who also has similarly firm ideas about race and sex. Despite these obstacles, the boys share a bond, both deaf, both neglected by family, and each dreaming of escaping from the brutal violence that surrounds them.

Other films in the Best of Iris 2022 programme are: 

• Queer Parivaar (PG) | Dir. Shiva Raichandani | UK | 27 Mins (Winner: Iris Prize Best British 2022, sponsored by Film4 and Pinewood Studios). When a mysterious gatecrasher appears at their wedding, Madhav and Sufi are forced to face past secrets and reflect on what makes a family.
• Breathe (U) | Dir. Harm Van Der Sander | The Netherlands | 6 Mins (Winner: Iris Prize Youth Award). A lyrical coming of age film which follows two school friends from childhood to young adulthood, as their friendship matures into something more romantic.
• Jim (15) | Dir. Tom Young | UK | 15 Mins (Winner: Co-op Audience Award). Inspired by true events. West London, 1982. Gay priest Jim Fitzsimmons reaches a decision: he’s going to spend one night with a rent boy. The night will change Jim’s life forever, but not for the reasons he expects.
• Tank Fairy (PG) | Dir. Erich Rettstadt 雷利 | Taiwan | 10 Mins (Highly Commended Iris Prize). The magical Tank Fairy delivers her gas tanks unlike any other – with sass, stilettos and a healthy helping of glitter. Her arrival upends the life of Jojo, a lonely ten-year-old who dreams of dancing and drag. Outcast by classmates and misunderstood by his stern, single mom, Jojo is inspired to live out loud by his fierce, propane-toting fairy godmother.

The Best of Iris 2022 is 80 minutes long. 

The second programme of films, entitled New Iris Productions, features three new films made by winners of the Iris Prize and a community production are a celebration of LGBTQ+ lives. Each is an example of excellence in storytelling and together the programme is sure to make you cry and laugh.
These are the three films in the 50 minute programme:

• A Beautiful Form To See (PG) | Dir. Lara Zeidan | 8 Mins. A Beautiful Form to See (starring Alicia Agneson) is a short film where a young woman gets trapped in her fantasy inside a Kaleidoscope. This is the 11th film made with the Iris Prize sponsored by The Michael Bishop Foundation.
• I Shall Be Whiter Than Snow (PG) | Dir. Frederick Stacey | 17 Mins. This short film is based on the true story of a lesbian couple, Kim and Roseann, who were married at Velindre Hospital, Cardiff in 2018 whilst Kim was receiving treatment for cancer. This emotional film is a touching love story between two women, a celebration of the amazing staff who work for our NHS, and the importance of compassionate care. The film stars Rebecca Harries and Lynn Hunter, supported by a cast of NHS professionals.
• Cardiff (15) | Dir. Sarah Smith (winner of the 2019 Iris Prize) | 25 Mins. Perpetually single, Frederick envies his fabulous gay friend Joe, who seems to have a never-ending supply of paramours despite being happily married himself. But when Frederick’s meddling mother arrives for a visit, she thrusts him into a forbidden romance, and a series of unforeseen betrayals hilariously expose some carefully held secrets. The film stars the wonderful, late Welsh Icon Ruth Madoc!