22 January 2021
Film makers across Wales are being invited to take part in the Hansh Her Ffilm Fer (Short Film Challenge) next month.
Following the success of the inaugural challenge last year, the second-ever Her Ffilm Fer will take place during February to celebrate LGBT+ History Month.
For the competition, participants are asked to produce a short, original film that focuses on any aspect of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender life.
Starting at 7pm on Friday, February 12, entrants will have 48 hours to produce their film which must relate to a specific theme, which will be revealed by organisers just before the challenge goes live.
The winning entry will win a prize of £1,000, as well as receiving a VIP pass to the Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival in Cardiff in October, where their film will be screened.
There will also be an opportunity for the winners to further develop their film idea with the Iris Film Academy, a development scheme in partnership with S4C and the University of South Wales.
The panel of judges for this year's competition are:
-Berwyn Rowlands – Iris Prize Festival Director
-Gwenllïan Gravelle – S4C Drama Commissioner, Un Bore Mercher/Keeping Faith producer
-Lee Haven Jones – Actor and Director: Dr Who, The Bay, 35 Diwrnod
-Amy Daniel – Director and Writer: The Legend of Bryngolau, Arth, Y Perchman
In the weeks leading up to the challenge, a series of video masterclass sessions will be led by some renowned producers to help entrants to make the most of their resources.
Comedian Steffan Alun will host the competition on Hansh in a series of videos leading up to and during the big weekend.
Steffan Alun said: "During such a tough time for the country, I was thrilled to be invited to be part of the Her Ffilm Fer.
"On a personal note, as a bisexual man, it's exciting that the competition is celebrating LGBT+ History Month – this is a fantastic opportunity for us all to celebrate together.
"To this day, we are well behind as a nation in sharing LGBT+ stories in the media, so this is chance for the Short Film Challenge to break new ground.
"These stories happen every day in the real world and it's about time that we see our films reflect that.
"This competition is open to everyone, and that's so important. It's easy to think, "it's not my place to take part in a competition like this." We must change that!
"It sounds daunting – producing a film in just 48 hours! But to be honest, it might be easier to produce something with those restraints.
"There's no time to over-think, so everyone has to just go for it from the start!"
Guto Rhun, Assistant Commissioner for Hansh, said: "We were so pleased with the response to the first ever Her Ffilm Fer last year, that we could not wait to do it again in 2021.
"We have decided to make this year's challenge a celebration of the LGBT+ community, which is a fitting way to mark LGBT+ History Month.
"The competition is open to everyone and we are looking forward to seeing how our film makers will tell stories that celebrate this diverse and often underrepresented community.
"We are also delighted to be working with the Iris Prize, who have helped provide a fantastic prize to this year's winners. Who knows, there may well be a future Iris Prize winner among our competitors this year. Pob lwc i bawb!"
To take part in the competition, visit www.herffilmfer.cymru. Follow Hansh on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more information about the competition.
