Two Irish productions, Queen Lizzy and Something in the Air, have been shortlisted for the 2026 Iris Prize, one of the world’s leading LGBTQ+ short film competitions. The films by Ireland’s David McDonagh and Niamh Barry, respectively, are among 35 shorts from 22 countries competing for the £40,000 prize, supported by the Michael Bishop Foundation. All of the nominated films will screen at Cineworld Cardiff from October 12 to 18 as part of Iris20, marking the 20th anniversary of the festival.
Both Irish films also received recognition at this year’s GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival in Dublin.
Queen Lizzy, directed by David McDonagh, won the Best Irish Short award at GAZE. The 14-minute film offers a raw and intimate insight into the life of Traveller woman Elizabeth Connors and the impact of her sexuality on her relationship with her family. It follows Connors as she creates a safe space for spoken-word and rap artists, while confronting the division caused by her same-sex relationship and her father’s inability to accept her sexuality.
McDonagh was the recipient of the inaugural Misleór Film Bursary. His previous film, Being Put Back Together, won the Best Documentary Award at the Galway Film Fleadh in 2023. His work aims to create images that provoke conversation, challenge ignorance and give a voice to people who are often marginalised.
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The second Irish entry, Something in the Air, is the directorial debut of award-winning queer Irish photographer and visual storyteller Niamh Barry. The 17-minute documentary, released in 2025, follows Raychel Sanner, a trans storm chaser and environmental advocate living in Oklahoma in the United States.
Barry was presented with the Craft Award at GAZE for their work on the film. Their LGBTQ+ photography and visual storytelling have been described as both an act of solidarity and a call to action.
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Together, the two films highlight the breadth of contemporary Irish LGBTQ+ filmmaking, bringing stories of identity, family, community and resilience to an international audience. The Iris Prize 2026 selection brings filmmakers and LGBTQ+ stories from across the globe to Cardiff, with the winning filmmaker receiving £40,000 to make a new LGBTQ+ short film in Wales.
For McDonagh and Barry, the nomination represents another significant achievement following their success at GAZE, placing two Irish voices at the centre of one of the most prominent LGBTQ+ short film competitions in the world.
The full list of nominated films is available here.
© 2026 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
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