CHERYL DUNYE APPOINTED CHAIR OF IRIS PRIZE INTERNATIONAL JURY!

Iris Prize, Cardiff’s international LGBT short film prize, is delighted to announce that Cheryl Dunye is to be the chair of this year’s International Jury who will be judging the 35 films competing for the coveted £30,000 prize. Director of the ground-breaking lesbian film, The Watermelon Woman which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, Cheryl is an award-winning screenwriter, actress and producer whose work has focused on race, sexuality and gender issues. In addition, she is Vice President of the Board of Directors for Queer Cultural Centre and on the advisory board of Queer Women of Colour Media Arts Project.

On her appointment, Cheryl Dunye, says, "As jury chair of the 2016 edition of the Iris Prize Festival, I look forward to engaging with my global filmmaking community as we select projects that represent the stunning diversity of queer cinema.”

Berwyn Rowlands, festival director, says. “I’m thrilled Cheryl Dunye is able to chair this year’s 10th anniversary jury. We started discussing ideas when she spent the night in our home about two years ago. Cheryl had a film in competition at Iris 2015 and I remember saying it would be nice to get her back, but it would have to be for something important! And here we are celebrating 10 years of Iris with Cheryl Dunye chairing the jury, it doesn’t get more awesome than this.”

The jury will be in Cardiff for the duration of the festival. The winner they choose from the 35 films in competition will be announced on Sunday 16th October at the Iris Award.

Further details of Iris Prize - www.irisprize.org