For the love of Iris

Following my ecstatic reaction to the discovery of an incredibly camp new movie The Big Gay Musical being released this year, it appears the film will get its UK premiere next month in none other than Cardiff!

In a coup for something called the "Iris Prize Festival" (which takes place on 7th-10th October), two of the film's stars Daniel Robinson and gay porn star Brent Corrigan will be putting in a personal appearance for the showing.

The Iris Prize is an international award for the best gay and lesbian short film, apparently, and the Festival is an annual event that started in 2007 at which all the contending films are shown and the winners announced. The event also hosts panel discussions, special guests and features - including this year a focus on the life, work and impact of one of Cardiff's greatest sons, the matinee idol, composer and singer (and celebrated gay man) Ivor Novello. Among the judges for the prize itself is our very own "gay version of Jacqueline Suzann" Paul Burston, who will also take part in a panel discussion on gay portrayal in films such as Bruno.

I'd love to go to this! It looks like a classy festival (and one I had never previously heard of) that seems to have got its act together far better than such disorganized events as GLBT History Month or Pride London Festival Fortnight - but scarcity of both money and time will most likely prevent me from getting there (especially as we are in Spain again at the end of October). However, you never know...

Iris Prize Festival website