The Iris Prize has just announced its shortlist of LGBTQ+ short films that will be considered for its illustrious £30,000 (€35,622) award, as well as the chance for the film’s director(s) to shoot their next project in Wales. While 15 titles from across the UK and Ireland were selected for this year’s shortlist, only three of those films focus on Ireland specifically.
Firstly, Director Conor Toner presents his 13-minute short film Everything Looks Simple from a Distance, wherein Noah, an idealistic inventor, comes up with a master plan for Northern Ireland to find peace by winning the space race. A synopsis of the film provided by the Iris Prize reads: “With tensions mounting in 1969 Northern Ireland, Noah tries to convince politicians, money men, priests, and paramilitaries that a trip to the moon may be the best route to peace.”
Also competing for the coveted Iris Prize is Fairview Park, a 14-minute short film from directors Aymeric Nicolet and Ellie Hodgetts. The film gets its name from the true story of Declan Flynn, a 31-year-old gay man who was murdered in Dublin’s Fairview Park in 1982. At the time, Fairview Park was a common cruising spot for Irish gay men during a time when homosexuality was still criminalised.
Flynn’s murder is regarded as one of the main catalysts that propelled the Irish gay rights movement.
The final Irish short film to make the Iris Prize shortlist is Director Louisa Connolly-Burnham’s Sally Leapt out of a Window Last Night. It is inspired by the true story of the legendary ‘Ladies of Llangollen’ – two Irish women who eloped to Wales to escape the fates their families had planned for them, including a heterosexual marriage.
Sally Leapt out a Window Last Night is set in 1778 Ireland and follows the characters of Sally and Eleanor as they plan their daring, romantic escape.
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“Every year we are thrilled to share with our festival audience and juries the very best of LGBTQ+ storytelling from across the UK, as Iris continues to be a celebration of global stories and Cardiff’s charm,” said Iris Prize festival director Berwyn Rowlands in a statement.
The Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival will run from October 8-14, 2024. All 15 shortlisted films will be available to stream for free on Channel 4 following the festival’s conclusion.
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