Last Chance to Watch 78 LGBTQ+ Short Films Through Iris Online
Iris Prize's anniversary online festival ends on 31 October 2026, with 78 films across 15 programmes available to UK viewers.
UK audiences have until Saturday 31 October 2026 to explore the online programme from the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival's 20th anniversary edition.
The Cardiff festival ran in person from 12 to 18 October, but its online collection remains open for viewers who missed the screenings. Organisers list 78 films across 15 programmes, giving the online event a broader reach than a single awards-night recap.
The festival is best known for its short-film competition, but its digital selection is also an opportunity to discover filmmakers from different countries and at different points in their careers. Rather than deciding solely by the winning titles, viewers can select themed collections that match their interests.
When does Iris Online close?
The festival confirms that its 2026 online screenings are accessible across the UK from 13 to 31 October 2026. The official platform lists individual programmes at £2, while an all-access Iris Online Pass costs £10.
These prices and the advertised programme are correct as listed on 26 October, but availability and booking terms should always be checked on the service itself.
Access is specifically advertised for the UK, so international readers should not assume the same viewing rights apply elsewhere. The official Eventive festival platform provides the programme and ticket options.
What is available to watch?
The 35 films competing for the main £40,000 Iris Prize were arranged across nine themed programmes. Subjects range from faith and family expectations to masculinity, intimacy, relationships and growing up. The collections make it possible to move between stories with shared ideas without assuming they all tell the same kind of LGBTQ+ experience.
The wider online selection includes the festival's additional programmes and short-film categories, bringing the advertised total to 78 films. The choice is particularly useful for viewers interested in discovering film voices they may not otherwise encounter through mainstream television or large streaming platforms.
Why the anniversary programme is worth exploring
The 2026 event marked twenty years of the Iris Prize and a continued commitment to short-form LGBTQ+ storytelling. The festival awarded this year's main prize to Luís Hindman's Magid / Zafar, while Darius Shu's Molly was named Best British Short. Those winners offer starting points for further reading, although each film's presence in the online catalogue should be confirmed before purchasing access.
For people who enjoy character-led drama, the festival's themed collections can be more rewarding than a general roundup of award winners.
A short film has limited time to establish character and conflict, and different filmmakers approach that challenge through comedy, romance, documentary or experimentation.
