Iris Prize announces 2026 programme
The queer film festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Celebrating its 20th edition, the Iris Prize has announced its film festival programme for 2026.
The festival will run from 12-18 October.
35 short films are competing for the Iris Prize, plus 15 British shorts are competing for the Best British award.
There are also 16 feature films in the programme.
Notable features include:
- Sunday Boyfriends: Directed by Gabriel Ordóñez, who also stars. In the chaotic sprawl of Mexico City, where home feels far away, Domingo, a Venezuelan immigrant, masks heartbreak with fleeting dates and binge eating. When his ex returns, his world collapses. He must choose between losing himself in others or embracing the radical act of self-discovery.
- Chatlines: Directed by Lloyd Eyre-Morgan and Neil Ely. Two terminally ill men - Jordan in 2027 and Danny in 2005 - connect through a video chat app. Despite the time gap, they bond over shared fears and regrets as they face death, finding solace in their unlikely friendship.
- Black Church Bay: Directed by Rhys Marc Jones. This is a mystery-thriller, about a conflicted teacher (Tom Cullen) dealing with the consequences of a sixth-former (Joe Locke) disappearing. It follows the immediate aftermath of the event, exploring the lengths a person might go to hide their true self - to save their skin at the expense of their soul.
People need to know.
Strip off and immerse yourself in the world of Naked Men Talking.
Gareth Johnson