The 16th Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival brought a huge variety of LGBT+ short films to their in-person and online festival. This diverse selection of outstanding short films showcases unique stories from around the world with a strong British representation.
Join us in the Baronial Hall as we explore a selection of the best of the festival introduced by Iris Prize director Berwyn Rowlands.
Everyone is welcome to attend our Pay What You Can screenings and pay… whatever they can. Free, £1, £3.50, £5, £10 – whatever you can afford to give.
When a mysterious gatecrasher appears at their wedding, Madhav and Sufi are forced to face past secrets and reflect on what makes a family.
A lyrical coming of age film which follows two school friends from childhood to young adulthood, as their friendship matures into something more romantic.
Inspired by true events. West London, 1982. Gay priest Jim Fitzsimmons reaches a decision: he’s going to spend one night with a rent boy. The night will change Jim’s life forever, but not for the reasons he expects.
The magical Tank Fairy delivers her gas tanks unlike any other - with sass, stilettos and a healthy helping of glitter. Her arrival upends the life of Jojo, a lonely ten-year-old who dreams of dancing and drag. Outcast by classmates and misunderstood by his stern, single mom, Jojo is inspired to live out loud by his fierce, propane-toting fairy godmother.
Perpetually single, Frederick envies his fabulous gay friend Joe, who seems to have a never-ending supply of paramours despite being happily married himself. But when Frederick’s meddling mother arrives for a visit, she thrusts him into a forbidden romance, and a series of unforeseen betrayals hilariously expose some carefully held secrets. The film stars Welsh Icon Ruth Madoc, Stifyn Parri and Richard Elis
“There are also several LGBTQ shorts screening at the festival in various shorts programs.
Arguably the best is Cardiff, a charming romantic comedy about Fred (Richard Elis) who is unlucky in love while his pansexual mom Sally (Ruth Madoc) and his gay friend Joe (Stifyn Parri) have multiple partners. When Fred meets Omar (Esh Alladi), he thinks he might find happiness, but the path to true love is not as straight (or gay) as it seems. Filmed in luminous black and white and filled with memorable characters and humour, Cardiff is a delight.”
Mill Valley Film Festival, October 2022
Do you remember Charlie the Magnetic Man?
Join Showtown as we tell the story of one of Blackpool’s best loved sideshows, the Great Magna. Discover the letters, predictions and the man who turned Charlie into a touring sensation that wowed families across the UK.
We’re pleased to share with you two short films inspired by our Lancashire heritage. Join us after the screening for a Q&A with director Gillian Wood and writer Michelle Crane to find out how they use film to explore and celebrate local history.
Harry Clayton-Wright gives the Winter Gardens Film Festival an exclusive first look at Mr Blackpool, a brand new show from Harry Clayton-Wright and Marlborough Productions. An end of the pier show at the end of the world, providing a last breath of entertainment while the world around us burns.
Since 2014, the Blackpool Film Festival has provided a platform for cinema programmed and co-produced with the artists and creative communities of the Fylde Coast.