Berwyn Rowlands

A film fan from an early age Berwyn was producing “movies” using his 8mm camera and projecting films for friends in his parent’s front room from the age of 9. Berwyn has produced films for cinema and TV which have been broadcast on BBC, ITV and S4C, including Llety Piod (UK) a 90 min TV movie starring Bill Nighy. He organized his first public film festival in Aberystwyth, Wales in 1989 which became known as the Welsh International Film Festival and included a weekend celebration of LGBTQ+ film.

In 2006 Berwyn established the Iris Prize – offering filmmakers the world’s largest LGBTQ+ short film prize at £40,000. 12 short films have been produced to date with the Iris Prize including Burger and Followers which screened at the Sundance Film Festival.

In 2016 the festival celebrated its 10th anniversary and was recognised by BAFTA as an “A” list festival. The Cardiff based event has featured in the top 50 film festivals in the world by Movie Maker Magazine for four years and was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II at a reception for the British Film Industry in 2013.

Berwyn said: “Every year the Iris Prize gives an opportunity to share the very best of LGBTQ+ storytelling from across the UK. The festival continues to be a celebration of global stories and Cardiff charm, highlighting stories from the LGBTQ+ community. Funding from The National Lottery has been so important to the Iris Prize – it is more than just a trophy that gathers dust or a certificate that yellows on the wall. Iris is what filmmakers need – funding, support, guidance and a new audience for their work.”