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Films // Coming up // The Best of Iris with Q & A (15)

11 March
Friday
7:00pm

The Best of Iris with Q & A (15)

Continuing our season celebrating LGBT stories and film makers, The Poly is delighted to present an evening of the ‘Best of Iris 2021 Film Festival’ and ‘Iris Trans Stories’.

This diverse selection of outstanding short films showcases unique stories from the UK and around the world.

The night will also feature a live Q&A with Writer/Director Lloyd Eyre-Morgan and actor Sam Retford, winners of Iris Prize Youth Jury Award 2021 for S.A.M. There will be plenty of opportunity to pose questions on the night but if you want to submit a question in advance email info@thepoly.org

Pay what you can: We are pleased to announce we are running flexible ticketing for this event. Select the amount you wish to pay when purchasing your ticket.

The ‘best of’ selection includes:

WINNER: Iris Prize and Iris Prize Best British 2021

Baba | 12A

DIRECTED BY SAM ARBOR AND ADAM ALI

PRODUCER: HANNAH STEVENSON; CO-PRODUCER: SUSAN SIMNETT

WRITER: SAM ARBOR AND ADAM ALI

UK, 18 MINUTES

Living in the tunnels beneath Tripoli a queer Libyan teenager, Britannia, dreams of escape to a better life, but an unexpected discovery forces him to question whether to stay or flee from his homeland and his friends.

Iris Jury: “A skillfully constructed film that speaks to oppression, acceptance and the strength of community. The direction is impressive, coherent and offers moments of self-reflection whilst transmitting courageousness and pride in one's identity. The issues explored are systemic issues that affect countless others, but the story is portrayed in a hopeful way which encourages a call to action to continue the fight for equality”.

Iris Prize 2021 HIGHLY COMMENDED

We Will Become Better – Sansara | PG

DIRECTOR: ANDZEJ GAVRISS

PRODUCER: LINE PRODUCER ALEXANDRA GALIUS. EXECUTIVE PRODUCER EGOR SOLOMATIN, MARIZOV MIKHAIL, EVGENY PRIMACHENKO. ASSOCIATE PRODUCER GIJS DETERMEIJER, ULIA PETROVA

WRITER: EVGENY PRIMACHENKO, ANDZEJ GAVRISS

RUSSIA, 6 MINUTES

Russian indie band Sansara made this music video as a tribute to Russia’s LGBT+ community, 12 months after the country passed legislation defining marriage solely as the union of man and woman. It’s a wonderful fusion of music and movement and a stirring tale of thwarted love, and though we can take no credit for this, it’s garnered over 1million views on YouTube since being submitted for the Iris Prize!

Iris Jury: “With uncompromising, magical aesthetics and an intricate structure, this creative approach to filmmaking acts as a celebration for equality. This film reminds us about the need to connect with others despite distance and circumstances.”

Iris Prize Best British

Cwch Deilen | U

DIRECTOR: EFA BLOSSE-MASON

PRODUCER: AMY MORRIS

WRITER: EFA BLOSSE-MASON

WALES, 8 MINUTES

An animated love story about a leaf which becomes a boat, and fears come out of the murky waters as sea monsters and storms. Will the Leaf Boat survive the tumultuous waves?

Iris Jury: “A magical, imaginative and touching animation with gorgeously drawn imagery.”

Iris Prize Youth Jury Award 2021

Winner

S.A.M. | 15

DIRECTOR: LLOYD EYRE-MORGAN AND NEIL DAVID ELY

PRODUCER: NELL GREEN

WRITER: LLOYD EYRE-MORGAN AND NEIL DAVID ELY

UNITED KINGDOM, 16 MINUTES

Two young men form a connection on the swings of their local park.

We will then present a Q&A with Writer/Director Lloyd Eyre-Morgan and actor Sam Retford, winners of Iris Prize Youth Jury Award 2021 for S.A.M. This will be followed by the Iris trans stories selection, including:

Iris Prize 2021 HIGHLY COMMENDED

God's Daughter Dances | 12A

DIRECTOR: SUNGBIN BYUN

PRODUCER: SUJI BONG

WRITER: SUNGBIN BYUN

SOUTH KOREA, 24 MINUTES

A transgender female dancer, Shin-mi, gets a call from the Military Manpower Administration, to attend for the Military Service Examination. Shin-mi, with everything in readiness, takes her steps to the Military Manpower Administration.

Iris Jury: “An intense and moving piece that highlights an important issue with regards to Gender equality. The main character portrays unrivalled bravery in the face of adversity, coupled with a compelling storyline and an alluring colour pallet.”

Iris Prize Best British 2021 HIGHLY COMMENDED

Pop | 15

DIRECTOR: MARGO ROE

PRODUCER: LUCY MEER

WRITER: MARGO ROE

ENGLAND (UK), 21 MINUTES

Jack is a young boy exploring his own identity when he befriends a recently released ex-convict, Pop. The pair bond, but Pop's past and his inability to control his emotions threaten to put Jack in danger.

Iris Jury: “Beautifully made with complex performances in a world familiar from some of the finest British independent cinema of the last few decades, but taking it to unique places. The ending will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.”

COOP Audience Award for best Iris Prize Short

BIRTHDAY BOY | 15

DIRECTOR: LEO LEBEAU

PRODUCER: JAMES BELL, LEO LEBEAU

WRITER: JAMES BELL, LEO LEBEAU

UNITED KINGDOM, 20 MINUTES

Birthday Boy follows a transgender boy, Alex, as he experiences bullying at a private all girls school. He lives a double life in online games, where he feels he can express his true identity. Alex has excitedly planned a digital birthday party, however, on the day of his birthday, the bullying takes a violent turn for the worse. We experience these tragic events through his memories, as he reflects from a hospital bed.

Despite his hardships, ultimately this is a film about acceptance, with an uplifting narrative that positively portrays a trans character.

This event is certified 15

Runtime for the event:

Start time 7pm

Best of Iris (52min)

Q&A with writer/director Lloyd Eyre-Morgan and actor Sam Retford, winners of Iris Prize Youth Jury Award 2021 for S.A.M. (30-45 min)

Trans Stories (70min)

End 9.45pm

www.irisprize.org

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The Best of Iris (15)

Friday 11th March, 7pm

Tickets: £8, £6, £4, £2

A £1 Poly Fund payment is added to each ticket sold.

Pay what you can: We are pleased to announce we are running flexible ticketing for this event. Select the amount you wish to pay when purchasing your ticket.

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Please wear a face covering (unless you are exempt), think social distance, and sanitise your hands on arrival.

The Polys reopening film programme is made possible through funding from Film Hub South West FAN Film Exhibition Fund. With the support of the BFI Film Audience Network and awarding funds from the National Lottery in order to bring this project to more audiences across the UK.

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