British filmmakers are leading the challenge for this year's Iris Prize - the world's largest gay and lesbian short film gong, which gives the winner the chance to make a new short film with the prize valued at £25,000.
The competition unites a global network of film festivals - located in Tel Aviv, Hamburg, Brazil, Austin, Hong Kong, London, Toronto, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Dublin, Philadelphia, Sydney, Miami, Chicago, Melbourne and Mumbai – who annually nominate a short film to compete for the award.
Eight of the films on the 30-strong final short list were make by British filmmakers, closely followed by six films from the US.
Other countries represented in the final include Japan, Thailand, Switzerland, Israel and Brazil.
Stories include a French terrorist seducing a soldier sent to track him, a bored housewife in small town Germany, an African American teenager grappling with his identity, and two men meeting for sex on the outskirts of Barcelona who end up discussing their mortgage rates instead.
The films will screen during this year’s Iris Prize Festival which takes place from October 5th - 8th in Cardiff.
Christopher Racster, Iris Patron and LA based Producer.“The shortlist for the 2011 Iris Prize once again represents the best of the best. Half of the short-listed films have been nominated by our partner festivals – film festivals from around the world that have their fingers on the pulse of upcoming gay and lesbian filmmaking talent. I’m confident that amongst this year’s shortlist we have yet another winner deserving of the Iris Prize.
“Iris is now recognised for supporting talented film makers from all over the world. Two shorts, made with the prize, have been produced since we launched in 2007 and a third is just about to start production later this month. Iris is more than just a trophy that gathers dust or a certificate that yellows on the wall. Iris is what film makers need – funding, support and guidance.
“It’s great to see films from all over the world represented in the shortlist with entries from USA, Germany, UK, Brazil, Israel, France, Norway, Australia, Ireland, India, New Zealand and Spain all making it through to the final. The UK has got the largest number of films in competition with an impressive 8 out of the final 30.”
The shortlisted films are:
33 Teeth USA, 7 mins, Evan Roberts Eddie's fascination with his older neighbour, Chad, heightens after he spies on him in the bathroom measuring his manhood.
Amen India, 22 mins, Ranadeep Bhattacharyya & Judhajit Bagchi The web brings the two protagonists, Andy and Harry, together one afternoon. But this planned sex date takes an unexpected twist and the interactions between them go beyond physical pleasure bringing out questions that need to be answered, truths that need to be accepted and a life that stands to be reckoned.
Cappuccino Switzerland, 15 mins, Tamer Ruggli Despite his marginal and extrovert looks, Jeremie is a shy teenager who keeps a heavy secret - his homosexuality. While trying to find his way between his classmate and sexual fantasy Damien and his very generous but protective mother Gina, his life is about to change.
Change USA, 24 mins, Melissa Osborne and Jeff McCutcheon A gay African-American teenager grapples with his young identity on the night Obama was elected president, and Proposition 8 - the voter initiative to eliminate same-sex marriage - passed.
Cross Your Fingers UK, 16 mins, Yun Joo Chang Su-Yeon, an Asian manicurist in a hair salon in Brixton, South London, and a good Catholic girl, is confronted with her desire and feelings, ever since a punk girl Maya walks into the salon and takes her hands.
Cyclicity USA, 10mins, Jason Knade Cyclicity is a girl meets girl love story that explores philosophical themes and contemporary romance while showing the life of a relationship, from beginning to end, from the first hopeful spark of attraction to the painful final goodbyes.
Downing UK, 16 mins, Ben Peters Within the backdrop of a vibrant house party, Downing explores the complicated minefield of teenage sexuality as John, the isolated local gay lad, finds an opportunity to exact revenge on his straight oppressor, the popular and handsome Daniel.
Drowning Australia, 19 mins, Craig Boreham Drowning is a journey through the final moments of youth as Mik struggles to make sense of the hole left by the death of his brother and his awakening desire for his best friend Dan.
Fourplay San Francisco USA, 26 mins, Kyle Henry In Fourplay: San Francisco a cross-dressing sex worker faces a challenging assignment in Marin Country. As the pressure mounts, an awakening begins.
Fuckbuddies Spain, 5 mins, Juanma Carrillo Two men meet at lunchtime to have sex in a car on the outskirts of the city.
Hold On Tight Ireland, 13 mins, Anna Rodgers Holding hands or kissing in public isn't for everyone. When it comes to same sex relationships, showing your love outside of the home is sometimes a complicated personal choice. This documentary moves between the public and private spaces in which lesbian and gay couples live, and explores small gestures of human connectedness.
I Don’t Want To Go Back Alone (Eu Não Quero Voltar Sozinho) Brazil, 17 mins, Daniel Ribeiro The arrival of a new student in school changes Leonardo's life. This 15 year-old blind teenager has to deal with the jealousy of his friend Giovana while figuring out the new feelings he's having towards his new friend, Gabriel.
Ishihara Israel, 7 mins, Yoav Brill An illustrated biography, employing the unique language of Ishihara tests used for detecting colour blindness.
James Dean Scotland, 8 mins, Lucy Asten Elliott A family tries its best to get out of the driveway, but one of their daughters has decided it’s finally time to bring out the ‘real’ her.
Junk UK, 23 mins, Joe Morris Junk is a subtle, melancholic portrait of confused, naive youth and a teenager’s desperate attempt to keep hold of the only companion he has left.
Lost Tracks UK, 21 mins, Jon Stanford Lost Tracks explores the life of Tobi, a teenager disillusioned with family life, friends and the community around her and follows the final days in Tobi's preparations to run away.
Manhunt France, 28 mins, Stéphane Olijnyk A young terrorist is trapped by Gavras, a hunter of the Special Intervention Unit who is tracking him. This starts a long walk through the forest, each one trying to dominate the other.
Nice Shirt USA, 5 mins, Eric Gernand A woman spats with her ex-girlfriend when she shows up to a friendly lunch wearing a printed t-shirt that reads 'taken!' Their local t-shirt company gets a run for its money when their lovers’ quarrel escalates into a war of words between the two women. But who will get the final word?
Play Name Thailand/ USA, 12 mins, Dave Snyder The hopes and fears of two young men, a Thai college student and an American hedge fund manager, are exposed during a steamy night in Bangkok.
Please Love Israel/ France, 40 mins, Aya and Yaelle Shwed Yaelle (a new immigrant in Israel from France and Visual Artist) and Aya (musician and artist) have decided to bring a camera into to their lives to film their harmonious relationship versus the complex relationship with Yaelle's parents. Their journey moves between despair and hope, showing courage and honesty alongside the price of freedom.
Portrait Of A Small Town Housewife In Her Mid 50s Germany, 8 mins, Andonia Gischina A housewife and mother of five children talks about her unspectacular, but happy family life. A film about stereotypes and role patterns and an experiment about the truth of words versus images.
Slow USA, 13 mins, Darius Monroe 26yo, DDF, 5' 11', 185 fit. 7 cut. Vers. Looking to host now. 420 is cool. Send a face pic.
Spring UK, 13 mins, Hong Khaou Two strangers meet to satisfy their sexual fantasy. Joe is seeking an immediate thrill, whereas Tim wants something more psychological. Rightly or wrongly Joe decides to venture down an unconventional path where he finds moments in equal measures that repels and excited him profoundly.
The Colonel’s Outing New Zealand, 17 mins, Christopher Banks Two old war veterans find love in a rest home, but why is Matron so disturbed by their blossoming relationship?
The Lesson Japan, 14 mins, Paul Metz When an English-challenged student seeks guidance about affairs of the heart, his romantically jaded instructor must teach him the words she never learned how to say.
The Red Bike UK, 12mins, Andrew Steggall Mikey can't ride. According to his mother, he can't balance properly. But when he overhears an older boy, Aiden, saying he is saving up for a bike, Mikey decides to rescue an old frame and present the finished, red bike to him is a gift.
Thinking Straight UK, 9 mins, Ric Forster Thinking Straight is a coming of age 'rites of passage' story centered around our main protagonist, Sam, her confusion with her sexuality, and the developing relationship with a girl she meets in a bar. Gradually, Sam is forced to confront the truth about who she is.
Tsuyako Japan/USA, 23 mins, Mitsuyo Miyazaki In post-war Japan, Tsuyako, a factory worker and mother, must decide between duty and love, her family and her freedom.
William Yang – The Art of Seduction Australia, 9 mins, Craig Boreham William Yang is a third-generation Australian-Chinese artist whose work examines his Chinese family history and gay identity. This documentary looks at one aspect of William's work as a photographer - male nudes - the most personal and vulnerable of his work because it always involves a negotiation or transaction.
For more information, visit the award's official site.
