still from donna featuring performer donna personna standing in a dark smoky room next to a mirror with pink lights around the frame

Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival filmmaker events

Join Ffilm Cymru Wales, BFI NETWORK Wales and BFI Doc Society at Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival.

Breaking into Documentary Storytelling

Panel session with Q&A

Thursday 12th October 2023
2.00pm - 3.00pm 
Stadium Plaza, Cardiff

Inspiring and boundary-pushing documentaries mirror the world we live in and can play a role in shaping perspectives. How do budding filmmakers take their first steps towards developing ideas for nonfiction films in a way that reveals authentic and compelling new stories?

Hannah Bush Bailey (BFI Doc Society Film & Fund Executive) opens a conversation with filmmakers Julia Alcamo (director of Iris Prize nominated short Ted & Noel, supported through Made of Truth BFI Doc Society Fund) and Jay Bedwani (director of Ffilm Cymru Wales supported, BAFTA Cymru nominated feature Donna) on developing ideas into impactful films. How do they gain access and build trust with contributors? How important is the role of the producer? How do they juggle creative careers? What’s the key to successful collaboration? This session will also explore current funding opportunities in the UK for creative nonfiction work for new and emerging filmmaking talent. 

This event will have BSL interpretation and live captioning.  

Bookable 121s

Thursday 12th October 2023
4.00pm - 6.00pm 
Stadium Plaza, Cardiff

Are you a filmmaker looking for some career or funding advice?  We’re holding some one-to-one sessions for writers, directors and producers who would like to know more about the support available for project or career development within the UK film industry and especially what’s on offer in Wales.  

Ffilm Cymru Wales Talent Development Manager Tracy Spottiswoode and Production & Development Executive Gwenfair Hawkins will be joined by BFI Doc Society Film & Fund Executive Hannah Bush Bailey and other film professionals including Julia Alcamo (director of Iris Prize nominated short Ted & Noel), Jay Bedwani (director of BAFTA Cymru nominated feature Donna), and Tom Abell, Managing Director of Peccadillo Pictures, who will advise on film sales and distribution. 

Chuck Chuck Baby Networking Reception

Friday 13th October
7.00pm – 8.00pm
Vue Cinema, Cardiff

Join us for a networking event with an opportunity to meet other filmmakers, Ffilm Cymru Wales talent executives and some of the creative team behind Chuck Chuck Baby.

Written and directed by Janis Pugh, and starring Louise and Annabel Scholey, Chuck Chuck Baby is a film of love, loss and music set amongst the falling feathers of a North Wales chicken factory. The film premiered at Edinburgh International Film Festival before screening at Toronto International Film Festival. 

If you don't have a festival pass, you can book a ticket for Chuck Chuck Baby here.