Students judge best entries for Iris Prize Film Festival 2022

A jury of students from the University of South Wales have helped decide the Best Feature title for the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival 2022, which opens today (11 October) at USW’s Cardiff Campus.

The 16th annual festival, which is welcoming international and domestic film-makers back face-to-face for the first time since 2019, will see 12 feature films from 10 countries shown during the six-day festival.

Six students from the Film and TV School Wales – Thomas Watkins, Isabella Bown, Alexander P Griffiths, Luca Bergonzini, Cai Barnard-Dadds and Arwen Harrison – have deliberated over the shortlisted films during the past few weeks, including three films directed by previous Iris Prize alumni.

Luca, who is in his final year studying BA (Hons) Film, jumped at the chance to join the jury after volunteering with the Festival last year. He said: “The entries we've seen have all been excellent. They're all such different films and all have many unique strengths so choosing a winner has been tough.

“I'm honoured to be in the position of judging these films with my fellow jurors and, apart from everything else, it's a good opportunity for us to all watch some wonderful films together. Working with Iris is one of the best things I have ever done. I would say to anyone who is able to – come to the festival! Enjoy some great films and meet some amazing people.”

Tom Ware, Associate Dean for Media Transformation and Partnerships at the University of South Wales, added: “I am very proud of the Film and TV School Wales students who have volunteered to sit on this year’s jury for the Iris Prize Best Feature Award. This is another excellent opportunity provided for them to spend time with accomplished and award-winning filmmakers as they move from university life to working in the film industry.

“It also builds on USW’s successful partnership with Iris that has already created many other opportunities for our students over the last few years. Being on the jury of a world-class film festival is definitely one for the CV, and will undoubtedly give them a great start in their chosen screen career, whether it’s directing, editing, or scriptwriting.”

Berwyn Rowlands, Director of the Iris Prize Film Festival, said: “The feature films we are presenting to you as part of our Iris Prize Festival this year promise to entertain, to engage, and to give the audience plenty of food for thought. We are particularly pleased to be screening – and hosting one world premiere – feature films made by Iris Prize alumni. Two of the films are based on previously shortlisted Iris Prize films. We hope you will be as proud of the Iris legacy as we are.”

The full Iris Prize Film Festival programme is available at https://irisprize.org/2022-box-office/