Award Winning LGBTQ+ Film Molly Arrives on Channel 4 After Iris Prize Victory

A chance encounter between two men in a launderette has become the starting point for one of this year's award-winning British LGBTQ+ short films, with Molly now available to watch on Channel 4 following its success at the Iris Prize Film Festival.

Written and directed by Darius Shu, the 23-minute drama explores love, asexuality and the complicated feelings that can develop when emotional closeness begins to turn into something neither person fully understands.

The film won the Best British Short Film Award on Friday 16 October 2026 during the festival's 20th anniversary celebrations in Cardiff, earning recognition for its performances, cinematography and sensitive exploration of relationships rarely represented on screen.

What Is Molly About?

Molly follows Vinnie, played by Hiroki Berrecloth, and Ryan, played by Frank Kauer, whose unexpected meeting at a launderette develops into a meaningful connection.

As the two men grow closer, their relationship begins to blur the boundaries between friendship, desire and romantic attachment, forcing them to confront their different expectations of intimacy.

Rather than following a conventional romance, the film examines the uncertainty that can arise when two people experience attraction and emotional connection differently, particularly when their feelings do not fit familiar descriptions of relationships.

Shu has drawn on his own experiences as a British East Asian filmmaker, explaining that he wanted to explore asexuality, vulnerability and the experiences of men whose stories have often been overlooked in mainstream cinema.

The director also served as cinematographer and editor, using carefully composed images and quieter moments between the characters to communicate feelings that are difficult to express through dialogue.

Darius Shu Wins Iris Prize Four Years After Queer Parivaar Success

The award represents another significant achievement for Shu, who previously produced Queer Parivaar, which won the same Best British Short Film category at the Iris Prize in 2022.

This time, he received recognition as writer and director, with Molly produced alongside Kaushik Ray and Pooja Chauhan through Taran Tantra Telefilms and Silverprince Pictures.

The jury praised the film's visual storytelling, performances and sensitive handling of a subject that has received comparatively little attention in cinema.

Shu's work has also attracted international recognition, with Molly selected for more than 13 film festivals, including Queer East, the Hong Kong Lesbian & Gay Film Festival and KASHISH Pride Film Festival in India.

The Best British award, sponsored by Film4 and Pinewood Studios, also brings an invitation for Shu to join the festival's judging panel in 2027.

Other British LGBTQ+ Films Recognised

The 2026 awards also recognised several other British filmmakers, with special mentions going to Life of Kai, directed by Fox Fisher, and Yellow Bucket, directed by Simon Brooke.

Life of Kai follows a young transgender boy over ten years as he navigates growing up in Britain, while Yellow Bucket explores family relationships and difficult questions surrounding personal choice.

Performance honours went to Sarah Ridgeway for Yellow Bucket, Eben Figueiredo for Magid / Zafar and Lilit Lesser for Bluebird, reflecting the range of LGBTQ+ stories featured during the festival.

Where Can You Watch Molly?

Molly is now available to UK audiences through Channel 4's free streaming service, as part of the Iris Prize Best British Short Film collection.

All 15 shortlisted British films from the 2026 festival are being made available through Channel 4, with the broadcaster securing a one-year streaming window and compilation programmes also receiving television broadcasts.

The festival itself took place in Cardiff from 12 to 18 October, with its separate online programme concluding on 31 October. However, viewers who missed the festival can continue discovering its British short films through Channel 4.