Gay Rugby World Cup documentary SCRUM to open Iris 2015
Organisers of the Iris Prize Festival have confirmed that the Cardiff based LGBT film festival has adopted a rugby theme for their opening night to coincide with the Rugby World Cup. Supported by the Welsh Rugby Union, who allowed the festival team to film their cinema advert at the Millennium Stadium, the 2015 festival will open with the rugby documentary Scrum.
Directed by Australian film maker Poppy Stockell (pictured left), who will be in Cardiff for the screening, the documentary focuses on the 2014 gay rugby world cup – The Bingham Cup.
“I’m thrilled that Scrum has been selected to open the 2015 Iris Prize Festival,” said Scrum’s director Poppy Stockell.
“Wales is known throughout the world as a rugby loving nation and I just can’t wait to see what they think of the film. Gareth Thomas has already made a huge contribution as the first openly gay rugby union player. Coupled with the pioneering work of out gay ref Nigel Owen, you get the impression Wales is a progressive country,” she added.
“If this was not enough we also have the added thrill of screening during the Rugby World Cup – I’m obsessed with hearing the Welsh crowds sing and hoping to get a chance to see some games, especially the Ireland v France match on the closing night of the Iris Festival,” she concluded.
Festival Director and feature film programmer, Berwyn Rowlands says, “As the eyes of the world focus on the 2015 Rugby World Cup, I’m delighted to open the 2015 festival with this powerful documentary which is about more than just rugby. This is the first time for a doc to open Iris and it confirms Poppy’s talents as a film maker who can tell a story.”
The full feature programme includes 14 amazing feature films, representing the very best of LGBT film making, including: Award winning Fourth Man Out, (US) director Andrew Nackman will be attending the screening; lesbian comedy Floating (Germany) director Julia Kaiser is also scheduled to be in Cardiff for the festival and Darker Than Midnight (Italy) whose director Sebastiano Riso is also visiting Iris to introduce his film.
“I honestly believe we have this year the best of the best. Many of the films in this year’s programme arrive in Cardiff with awards for best film, best performance from festivals all over the world. One of them will leave Cardiff with the Iris Prize Best Feature Award and two awards for performances in a feature will also be distributed. I think the juries have a difficult task ahead of them,” said Berwyn Rowlands.
Background:
The 2015 Iris Prize Festival will present 6 main awards:
- The Iris Prize – Cardiff’s International LGBT short film prize supported by The Michael Bishop Foundation is valued at £30,000 and remains the only short film prize in the world which allows the winner to make a new film.
- Iris Prize Best British Short sponsored by Pinewood Studios Group and valued at £14,000 will be presented for the second time in 2015.
- Iris Prize Best Feature Award valued at £1,000 is sponsored by Martin Brigs and presented to the best new feature screened at the festival.
- Best Actor in a Feature sponsored by Gay Star News
- Best Actress in a Feature sponsored by Gay Star News
- Iris Prize Youth Jury Award sponsored by Cardiff University and presented to one of the short films as selected by a jury of 10 between the ages of 14 and 17.
Important Dates:
- The Box Office will open on Monday 7 September 2015. (Members Priority Booking opens Wednesday 26 August – through Sunday 6 September).
- The festival takes place in Cardiff and opens on Wednesday 7 – Sunday 11 October 2015.
The Iris Prize – Cardiff’s International LGBT Short Film Prize is supported by The Michael Bishop Foundation and continues to be the only LGBT short film prize in the world which allows the winner to make a new film. Iris is what film makers need – funding, support and guidance. The winner receives £30,000 to make their next short film in the UK.
