Cardiff’s very own Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival is buzzing with excitement as it announces the highly anticipated shortlist of 15 films vying for the 2025 Iris Prize Best British Short, sponsored by Film4 and Pinewood Studios. This prestigious award celebrates the finest in British LGBTQ+ storytelling, and this year’s lineup promises to be exceptional.
The shortlist was unveiled on Saturday, July 26th, at the annual Summer Party Event held at Stadium Plaza, the festival’s Cardiff home. Berwyn Rowlands, Iris Prize Film Festival Director, expressed his delight, stating, “In the early years, finding 10 excellent short films was a challenge, finding 15 this year was easy; we could easily screen more.” This sentiment highlights the incredible growth in quality and quantity of submissions, a testament to the festival’s rising prominence.
A Dedicated Day of British Excellence
For the first time ever, the 2025 festival will feature a dedicated Best British Day on Friday, October 17th. This special day will showcase all 15 shortlisted films, culminating in a celebratory Best British lunch and an evening awards ceremony and party. It’s an unmissable opportunity for film enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the best of British LGBTQ+ cinema.
Beyond the Main Award: A Host of Accolades
Beyond the coveted Iris Prize Best British Short Award, these incredible films are also eligible for a range of other significant accolades, including:
- Best British Performance in a Female Role
- Best British Performance in a Male Role
- Best British Performance Beyond the Binary
- Iris Prize Co-op Audience Award (voted for by festival audiences, both in-person and online)
- Iris Prize Youth Jury Award
- Iris Prize Elders Jury Award
Catch Them on Channel 4
Even if you can’t make it to every screening in Cardiff, you’ll have the chance to see these fantastic films. Each of the 15 shortlisted films will be streamed on Channel 4 for a year after the festival, making them accessible to a wider audience across the UK. Furthermore, all nominated films are eligible for consideration for BAFTA awards, allowing filmmakers to automatically submit their work.
Meet the Shortlisted Films:
Here’s a glimpse at the diverse and compelling stories that made the cut for the Iris Prize Best British Short:
- BLACKOUT. Dir: Chris Urch. UK, 2024. 15 mins.
- Bury Your Gays. Dir: Charlotte Serena Cooper. UK, 2025. 19 mins.
- Demons. Dir: Emmanuel Imani. UK, Nigeria, 2024. 21 mins.
- Hot Young Geek Seeks Blood Sucking Freak. Dir: Heath Virgoe. Scotland, UK, 2024. 12 mins.
- Lisbon. Dir: Matthew Jacobs Morgan. UK, 2025. 13 mins. (Starring John Cameron Mitchell and Matthew Jacobs Morgan)
- Man Enough. Dir: Beru Tessema. UK, 2025. 23 mins.
- Meat Raffle. Dir: Stuart Armstrong. UK, 2025. 15 mins.
- Purebred. Dir: Caleb J. Roberts. Northern Ireland, UK, 2025. 15 mins.
- Sleazy Tiger. Dir: James Ley. Scotland, UK, 2025. 14 mins.
- Solers United. Dir: Sara Harrak. UK, 2025. 14 mins.
- Soviet Fantasia. Dir: Penn Bálint. UK, Hungary, 2024. 8 mins.
- Sweetheart. Dir: Luke Wintour. UK, 2024. 18 mins.
- The Second Time Around. Dir: Jack Howard. UK, 2025. 12 mins.
- Trailblazers. Dir: Sobia Bushra. Wales, UK, 2024. 18 mins.
- Two Black Boys in Paradise. Dir: Baz Sells. UK, 2025. 9 mins.
What the Winner Receives
The winner of the Iris Prize Best British Award will enjoy an exclusive screening of their film at Pinewood Studios, complete with a red carpet and a welcome reception. They’ll also be invited to join the 2026 Iris Prize Best British Jury. All shortlisted filmmakers will receive a license fee for their film’s broadcast on Channel 4, with a second window on OUTTv’s global platforms after the Channel 4 period.
Don’t Miss Out
The Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival runs from Monday, October 13th, to Sunday, October 19th, 2025, with Iris Online available across the UK from October 14th to November 7th, 2025.
Passes for Industry Day and the full festival are available now at the Iris Prize website. Get ready for a week of groundbreaking cinema and celebrate the power of LGBTQ+ storytelling right here in Cardiff!
Find full details about the festival and secure your passes at: www.irisprize.org