Black Hat takes this year's Iris Prize

My Brother Is A Mermaid wins Best British Short

by Jennie Kermode

Iris Prize winner Black Hat
Iris Prize winner Black Hat

"It shone a light on an often unseen community in a sensitive, tender and positive way, without casting judgement," said International Jury Chair Jake Graf as Black Hat was awarded this year's Iris Prize for best international LGBT short film. Directed by Sarah Smith - the fourth woman to win the prestigious award - it tells the story of a closeted Hasidic Jewish man living in Los Angeles. "We found the lead charming and likeable, the film visually stunning," added Graf.

Also shortlisted for the award were Marguerite, in which an elderly woman comes out to her carer, and Ponyboi, in which an intersex laundry worker dreams of a better life.

Alfie Dale's magical realist drama My Brother Is A Mermaid won the Best British Short, Audience and Youth Awards.

The award for Best Feature went to And Then We Danced, a romantic drama set in a prestigious Georgian dance academy, while there were special mentions for Hong Khaou’s Monsoon and documentary Changing The Game.

Best Performance in a Male Role went to Monsoon star Henry Golding and Best Performance in a Female Role was won by Linda Caridi from Italian comedy Mom + Mom.

The awards were presented by Russell T Davies at a ceremony in Cardiff’s Tramshed.

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